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8 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,February 15, 2011 Tools stolen from truck Hospital projects deserve their fair share How on earth can the McGuinty Liberals say there's no money for the Georgetown Hospital project, when in the same breath they announce $22.5 million in top-up funding to renovate a football stadium in Hamilton? This is the question that every taxpayer in Halton Hills should be asking. On January 30, the McGuinty government congratulated itself for pouring even more Ontario tax dollars (once again, $22.5 million) into the Ivor Wynne Stadium project in Hamilton. They said it was to "solidify a location for a soccer stadium for the Pan-Am Games." Now, I have nothing against Hamilton, I have nothing against the Ti-Cats, and I'm glad we're hosting the Pan-Am Games in 2015. But what about the Georgetown Hospital? Since last summer, I have made every possible effort to seek provincial funding for the Georgetown Hospital project. In fact, my involvement goes back even further, to October 2007. The very day after I was re-elected to the Legislature, I wrote the health minister asking for an expedited review of the Georgetown CT scanner proposal. And last June, I was informed of the Halton Police report several cordless drills were stolen from a locked truck parked in the driveway of an Eaton St. home sometime late last Monday or early Tuesday. The door lock was forced open to gain entry. The tools are valued at $1,700, and damage to the door is $300. Ted Arnott planned renovation project to accommodate the CT scanner and modernize our emergency department. I immediately went to work, asking the Ministry of Health for a comprehensive briefing on the current capital approvals process. On August 26, we finally had a meeting at Queen's Park in the minister's boardroom. Our hospital representatives made an excellent case, but we received no assurance that a grant for the Georgetown Hospital would be forthcoming from the Province anytime soon. Last fall, I had an opportunity to bring forward a Private Members' Resolution, and I chose to highlight our hospital issues in Georgetown and Fergus. I took a non-partisan approach, trying to work cooperatively with the health minister and government MPPs. Unfortunately, on October 21, the PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES ·INDIVIDUAL ·COUPLES ·FAMILY COUNSELING ·DEPRESSION ·ANXIETY ·LIFE CHANGES ·CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ·PERSONAL GROWTH 38 OAK STREET, GEORGETOWN ONTARIO Liberal MPPs present appeared to be whipped to vote against my motion, and it was defeated. I said at the time that the Liberals had slammed the door in our faces. I stand by this statement. But we never give up. I am willing to work with hospital officials and Town council to continue to seek whatever support might be possible from the provincial government. A provincial election is on the horizon. I believe there is a chance that the government may announce funding for some hospital projects like ours in the coming months. At the very least, they will not be able to say they haven't heard of the Georgetown Hospital. But the bestcase scenario would be a substantial contribution from the Province toward our project. All we're asking is for our fair share-- and that hospital projects be considered along with football stadium renovations. ··· Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott welcomes your comments. He can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. His website address is www.tedarnottmpp. com --Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills (905) 873-9393 HTTP://FORGECOACHINGANDCONSULTING.COM INFO@FORGECOACHINGANDCONSULTING.COM