MPP Arnott renews call to support Georgetown Hospital project
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington – Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2011
MPP Arnott renews call to support Georgetown Hospital project
(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 the Georgetown Hospital’s renovation
project. 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
Halton Hills 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
th
weeks leading up to the October 6 provincial election.
“That’s why I’ve have worked so hard to support the Georgetown Hospital project,” 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 open letter also reiterated his unqualified support for the Town of Halton Hills in its request for
nearly $1.9 million in provincial funding. Council has already done its part, Mr. Arnott says, by
committing $2.682 million to the project. “The Hospital Board Foundation, the Volunteer
Association, and generous contributors have likewise contributed their share,” he wrote.
Getting the government to move the project forward, Mr. Arnott emphasized, will continue to be his
main concern.
He pointed to his work with council and the community in response to the McGuinty Liberals’ GTA
West Corridor Study. Following his call for the government to suspend the study, the Minister of
Transportation agreed to put the brakes on the controversial highway plan affecting 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 to support Georgetown Hospital’s plan to submit a proposal for a CT scanner. In that letter,
he also called for approval for Groves Memorial Community Hospital’s CT scanner.
– 30 –
Attached: Mr. Arnott’s open letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org