QUEEN’S PARK – Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker says he will meet with the newly appointed Minister of Health, Eric Hoskins, to discuss the future of the Markdale Hospital. The offer to meet was made by Minister Hoskins after he failed to assure the local MPP of his government’s intended date for the construction of the new hospital in Markdale at Queen’s Park today.

Walker says he used today’s Question Period to reiterate his support for the new facility and to seek the government’s support of it too.

“I asked the new minister to confirm that infrastructure money would be allocated in the 2014 budget and that the hospital promise his government made to my constituents was not made purely for political purposes,” Walker says. “After the Minister failed to answer, I asked him if he accepted that the case for a rebuild is strong, and on what timeline he envisaged this redevelopment taking place.”

Walker says he feels it’s important for the new Minister of Health to understand that in Markdale’s case, it is not a case of a hand-out – the community, the Grey Bruce Health Services hospital corporation and the volunteers have worked hard to collect pledges toward the hospital project.

“The community stepped up to the challenge nine years ago and raised $13.2 million as their part of the challenge that this government put in front of them and they want the government to honour its commitment now,” he says. “Eleven years on, this hospital project is of profound concern and need to my constituents in Markdale and area.”

Walker says he has pledged to his constituents since Day One that he would go toe-to-toe with the Liberal government to get the new facility built. Says Walker: “It’s time this government honoured its pledge and given Markdale residents the new facility and the health care they deserve.”

CONTACT:
Ana Sajfert | ana.sajfert@pc.ola.org | 416-325-6242