New Hospital in Durham Region Will Be Decided by Province

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reaffirmed on Wednesday that a new hospital will be built in Durham Region, but stated that the province will choose its location.

“The people of Durham have received a lot of attention from us. They’ll get their hospital, and we will decide where it goes,” Ford told reporters during an unrelated news conference in Toronto.

His remarks come after an independent panel created by Lakeridge Health, a network of hospitals in Durham Region, identified Whitby as the preferred location for a new hospital back in January 2022. The land earmarked for this site belongs to Ontario’s transportation ministry.

In February, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy kicked off a campaign urging the province to fulfill its promise regarding a hospital for Durham Region, located east of Toronto.

She mentioned that a new acute care facility is crucial because the current hospital system is struggling to meet demand, especially as the area continues to grow. The population is expected to exceed one million within two decades.

Residents have faced overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait times, according to Roy.

Following the announcement of the preferred site, Lakeridge Health sought $3 million from Ontario’s health ministry as part of a capital planning grant for this facility in spring 2022. However, there was no funding allocated for a new hospital in Durham in the provincial budget released on March 26.

Roy pointed out that Ford initially promised a hospital for Durham Region back in 2015.

Ford Claims Improper Tactics Used to Gain Support

During the news conference, Ford took issue with Roy’s approach to rally community support for a Whitby hospital, labeling her methods as inappropriate. He accused her of gathering names and email addresses and conducting lotteries with prizes like gym memberships and i Phone watches.

The premier also claimed that she was bullying him-a statement town officials deemed disrespectful.

Ford said: “Folks, that is wrong. You can’t be doing that. Elected officials cannot be pulling these games. We’ve committed to making sure we have a hospital in Durham. We’re going through the process and I’m not going to let that mayor bully me while she keeps offering everything under the sun.”

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy is pictured here in February at a news conference, where she called on the Ontario government to build a hospital in Whitby. (CBC)

In response on Wednesday, Roy and Whitby’s chief administrative officer Matt Gaskell stated: “Many municipalities use prizes to encourage engagement on important issues affecting them and their community.”

The town of Whitby mentioned it offered four prizes aimed at encouraging resident participation: a year-long Town of Whitby health club family membership; one of two activity prize packs including items like backpacks and activity passes; plus an Apple Watch SE (GPS) 44mm Midnight Sport Band funded by the town.

Makes Case for Hospital ‘It’s My Job,’ Says Mayor

Roy commented in her release: “The premier is misguiding people with false claims that are frankly disrespectful towards thousands who took time out to support our campaign and share their stories. Standing up for residents isn’t bullying; it’s my job.” 

“The province keeps saying there’s going to be a hospital for Durham. What I want to know is when? I’ll keep asking until I get an answer.”

Roy expressed concern over Ford’s statement about site selection being handled by the province; hence why Whitby continues advocating strongly.

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy held a news conference on Wednesday to announce next steps in her campaign for a new hospital in town. (CBC)

Gaskell agreed with her comments saying Ford’s remarks were “completely inaccurate and honestly disrespectful” toward nearly 4,000 residents who shared personal stories about why they need this new facility.

“Residents signed up because they support building another hospital-not just for potential prizes,” he added.

“Offering prizes as an incentive is standard practice used across many municipalities.”

He explained emails are collected simply as proof against spam submissions while neither he nor council members access those emails.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon Roy detailed further actions regarding their campaign-municipal buildings would display orange hearts symbolizing each supporter.

“We’re not backing down,” said Roy.

As per Lakeridge Health information provided earlier-the chosen site lies within north Whitby near Highway 407 westward extending towards Highway 412 covering eastwards past Lake Ridge Road extending northwards beyond Winchester Road/Highway7 limits.

Accordingly-this network operates five hospitals alongside four emergency departments coupled together providing three critical care units while overseeing community locations inclusive thereof such long-term cares homes alongside surgical centers too!

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