MPP Arnott makes pre-election appeal for new Groves hospital
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington – Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2011
MPP Arnott makes pre-election appeal for new Groves hospital
(Wellington-Halton Hills) – With just 22 days before the provincial election begins, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott is making a final appeal to approve plans to move forward with a new facility for Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus. Today he fired off an open letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care:
“Since June, you have seen fit to make hospital-related announcements serving Sudbury, London, Hawkesbury, Winchester, Brockville, Kawartha Lakes, Oakville, Vaughan, Barrie, Cambridge and Toronto,” noted Mr. Arnott’s letter. “In light of your announcements for these communities, we in Wellington are questioning your Government’s seeming lack of attention to our own health care needs
and your commitment to meeting those needs.”
Mr. Arnott has long expected the Liberal government would make hospital announcements in the weeks leading up to the October 6 provincial election.
“That’s why I’ve have worked so hard to support Groves,” explained Mr. Arnott. “I wanted to make sure they could not ignore our need.” From writing numerous letters, to arranging meetings, to speaking directly with the Minister of Health, to initiating a debate in the Ontario Legislature, Mr. Arnott has gone to extraordinary lengths to support the project.
His letter expressed disappointment that the Minister of Health did not accept his invitation to come to
Fergus to tour the existing Groves facility, saying she would have seen both the challenges we face and
the overwhelming community support for Groves.
“The Board of Directors, the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association, and generous contributors have contributed a great deal to our hospital,” said Mr. Arnott.
Getting the government to move the project forward, Mr. Arnott emphasized, will continue to be his main concern.
He pointed to his work with the Town of Halton Hills Council and the community in response to the McGuinty Liberals’ GTA West Corridor Study. Following his call for the government to suspend the study, last week the Minister of Transportation agreed to put the brakes on the controversial highway plan affecting Wellington-Halton Hills.
“It seems they’re finally listening to us because an election is coming,” said Mr. Arnott. “That’s why, when it comes to the future of our local health care services, now is the time for one final push.”
In October 2007, on the morning after the last provincial election, Mr. Arnott wrote to the Minister of Health calling for approval of a CT scanner for Groves. In that letter, he also informed the Minister of his support for Georgetown Hospital’s plan to submit a proposal for a CT scanner.
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org