Ontario Government Grants Millions To Niagara Health System To Plan New Hospital In Niagara Falls

From Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper 

Well I know I just said we are putting Niagara At Large on pause until Monday, February 3^rd while we upgrade this news and commentary site, but we can’t ignore this breaking news.

This billboard was erected earlier last year for a new hospital in the southwest end of Niagara Falls. File photo by Doug Draper

According to reports this January 13^th from the Hamilton Spectator  and from the province’s Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties, the government Liberals are providing the Niagara Health System with $26 million to develop plans for a new hospital in Niagara Falls that is intended to serve that community, along with the south Niagara communities of Welland, Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Wainfleet

The Liberal government has also announced that Kevin Smith, who has served as a supervisor for the Niagara Health System for more than two years, will continue on as the NHS’s CEO.

It was Smith who, more than a year ago, recommended that the province look at building a new hospital in south Niagara that would replace what is left f the hospitals in Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Welland.

Kevin Smith is now the Niagara Health System’s CEO. File photo by Doug Draper

He left it to the south Niagara mayors to get together and suggest a site for a new hospital, which could cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of half a billion dollars or more, and out of that – much to the chagrin of at least some south Niagara politicians, can a proposed site off Montrose and Lyons Creeks Roads in the southwest end of Niagara Falls.

The whole idea of building a new hospital for south Niagara was hatched by Smith in the wake of continued complaints and concerns raised by southern tier residents that they were ignored for years while the NHS, a 14-year-old amalgamation of a number of former hospital boards across the region, forged ahead with the planning and building of a new hospital complex in the north end municipality of St. Catharines.

Niagara At large is also posting here two media releases circulated by the Ontario Liberals and Progressive Conservatives on the hospital planning grant. We have yet to receive a release from the NDP but will also add it below if one comes in. 

By the way, this news comes as the Liberal government gets ready to set a date for a byelection in the Niagara Falls Riding to replace former Liberal MPP Kim Craitor.  

For Immediate Release from the Ontario Liberal Party

January 13, 2014

Joyce Morocco Welcomes Planning Grant for New Niagara Hospital – PCs and NDP won’t build new hospital

Niagara Falls, Ontario Liberal Candidate Joyce Morocco welcomed today’s announcement of a $26 million planning grant for a new Niagara hospital and two new urgent care centres. 

“Today’s planning grant announcement brings us one step closer to a new Niagara Hospital, but we need to keep fighting until shovels are in the ground,” said Morocco.  “The other two parties both say they support a hospital – but where I come from, actions speak louder than words.  The NDP just voted against a new Niagara hospital at Queen’s Park, and local families know the PCs only close hospitals.”

“With Premier Wynne at my side, I will fight to bring that hospital to Niagara Falls, and I’ll make it happen, because our communities need a state of the art health care facility,” said Morocco.   “A new local hospital and two new urgent care centres in our region will mean better care for families in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie.”

Morocco has a strong record of delivering for Niagara by bringing a new Community Health Centre to the area and playing a leadership role in raising $9.2 million for a new ER as chair of the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation. Her active involvement in the community has been recognized with the Volunteer of the Year award by Festivals and Events Niagara. 

“I will fight for you, alongside Premier Kathleen Wynne to deliver for Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie,” concluded Morocco.  “I will ensure that the people of Niagara have the government, the health care, and the representation they deserve.”  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party

January 13, 2013 

LIBERALS ADOPT ONTARIO PC PLAN FOR HOSPITAL IN NIAGARA FALLS 

NIAGARA FALLS – “I’m happy that the Liberals are finally on-side for a Niagara South Hospital – it’s just too bad it takes a byelection to make them see the light,” said Ontario PC Candidate Bart Maves. 

Maves was reacting to Liberal Health Minister Deb Matthews’ announcement that the government will finally extend funding for a new hospital in Niagara Falls. 

“This is the same hospital Kathleen Wynne said she had ‘no immediate plans’ for,” said Maves. “This news just confirms what we’ve seen countless times – Kathleen Wynne is continuing the McGuinty pattern of only making an announcement when there’s something in it for her and her party.” 

“With the Liberals playing politics and the NDP flip-flopping between the idea of a new hospital being ‘preposterous’ and somehow keeping all those aging facilities as well, there’s only one party with a realistic plan for health care Niagara Falls,” said Maves. 

“Dr. Kevin Smith’s plan was the best one for our community – so let’s get moving on that, and make sure our families have access to the best health care around.” 

“Now that they’re following our lead on health care in Niagara, maybe the Liberals will also adopt our Million Jobs Plan.” Maves concluded. “The Ontario PCs will be bold in their pursuit of a better Niagara. It’s time to get started.” 

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