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15 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 28, 2009 Health Oakville Beaver `Voluntary' charge for local hospitals By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP GIVE A KID A CHANCE Y O U R G I F T TO E R I N OA K K I D S WILL HELP KIDS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ALL THEY CAN BE! Your time as a volunteer can help you be all YOU can be ­ as a HERO to them Prevented by provincial legislation from charging developers for the costs of new and expanded hospitals, a regional committee is asking residential homebuilders be `strongly encouraged' to pay a $1,000 voluntary contribution for every unit they build. "Developers are all saying, `We're helping build a complete community.' Well, this is a small cost (towards that effort)," said Milton Councillor Colin Best at council's health and social services committee meeting this week. The recommendation goes to council June 3. Any money collected would be used to help cover the costs of hospital growth in Halton. Currently, three hospitals need improvements. Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington wants a $180million expansion. Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) is waiting to start building a new Oakville hospital and is hoping for the go ahead on expanding Milton District Hospital. However, the corporation has not released publicly estimates on how much those two projects would cost. Typically, the Province pays 70 per cent of the capital costs for new or expanded hospitals, with 30 per cent to be picked up by what's called the local share -- a combination of fundraising and municipal contributions. The request for developers to chip in to the local share will help make up for the fact the current provincial government has refused to reverse a 1997 change to the Development Charges Act that forbid municipalities from collecting growth related hospital costs, said Regional Chairman Gary Carr, who introduced the motion. Stephen Dupuis, president of the developers' lobby group BILD, was not enthused. "The (building) industry just loathes voluntary contributions, which often aren't voluntary," he said. "Is this hospital only for people who buy new homes? Of course not," Dupuis added. "Hospitals -- that's a community-wide, regionwide service." Dupuis said the industry has no tolerance for more costs in the current economic climate, especially in Halton where residential developers are already charged high rates. Facing immediate infrastructure pressures, Halton Region last winter added $10,000 in costs to residential developers on top of the $29,000 they pay in development charges. W HY NOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS ? To donate: 905-491-4437 To volunteer: 905-491-4448 Centre for Treatment and Development Reg. Charity# 118901446RR0001 Dr. Jenna Davis Family Chiropractor/ Acupuncturist Alliance Healthcare Professionals Dr. Jenna Davis 905.845.2291 Specializes in: · Pediatrics · ADD/ADHD · Pre and Postnatal Care · Headaches/Migraines · Naturally Turning Breech Babies · Fertility Issues Wellness care for the entire family! Call TODAY to schedule your complimentary consultation! 232 South Service Rd. E, Oakville, ON L6J 2X5 www.alliancehealthcare.ca drjennadavis@gmail.com KNEE, HEEL & ARCH PAIN ARE TREATABLE! Understanding the source of your foot and knee pain could lead to permanent relief. Book a consultation today! WALK-IN CLINIC Short wait times! South of Dundas, at Bronte Rd Mon - Fri: 8:30 am to 8 pm Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm 3rd Line Dundas St HealthSense Medical & PharmaSense 905-825-DOCS 2983 Westoak Trails Blvd Bronte Rd Westoak Trails Blv d Upper Middle Rd DENTURES tarting at S SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST 379 905-815-8208 $ LIMITED TIME OFFER NEW LOCATION Free Parking in front of office We Treat: · Diabetic Foot Care · General Care · Custom Made Foot Orthotics QEW Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital P Covered by most insurance companies. info@healthsensemedical.ca www.healthsensemedical.ca 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 www.footandhealthclinic.com Walk-In Clinic Chiropractic Family Doctors Travel Clinic DRUGSTORE Trafalgar Rd Dor v r al D