MPP Arnott Initiates Legislative Debate Supporting Groves Memorial Community Hospital

The Ontario Legislature concluded its special Winter Sitting on March 2nd. But before MPPs could go home, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott again demanded answers from the Government on the Groves Memorial Community Hospital ’s redevelopment plan.

Located in Fergus, the Groves Memorial Community Hospital has been seeking approval from the Provincial Government to move forward with an ambitious redevelopment project, to modernize the Hospital and improve patient care. The project has been stalled for more than two years, because the Minister of Health has been unwilling to allow the Hospital to proceed with its planning.

The Hospital has raised almost $15 million towards its share of the cost of the project.

On February 28th Mr. Arnott hand delivered a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty, urging him to personally intervene and ask the Minister of Health why, after two years of delay, the Groves ’ Redevelopment Plan has yet to move forward.

“The next day I followed up with the Premier during Question Period. He passed the question off to the Minister of Health. The Minister’s response was nothing more than a partisan rant, so I filed a motion of dissatisfaction calling for a “Late Show” debate in the Legislature,” Mr. Arnott added.

“Late Shows” normally occur at 6 pm after the regular proceedings of the House are completed. MPPs have five minutes to explain why they were dissatisfied with a Minister’s reply at Question Period. Then the Minister, or the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister, has five minutes to respond.

“I’ve grown impatient with the Government’s excuses on this important health care issue, but I am determined to continue to raise it in the Legislature,” Mr. Arnott concluded.