The provincial government announced on Thursday that a new regional hospital will be constructed in Whitby, following months of public disagreements between the town’s mayor and Premier Doug Ford.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones stated that the aim is for the hospital to be completed and operational within 10 years.
The province has allocated $12 million in grants to Lakeridge Health, which currently runs five hospitals in Durham Region, as it develops a master plan for several long-term health-care initiatives, including the hospital in Whitby.
In February, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy began a public campaign aimed at Ford and his government, urging them to fulfill a promise of building a new acute-care hospital in Durham.
An independent panel created by Lakeridge Health chose Whitby as the preferred location for a new hospital back in January 2022, and Roy criticized Ford for delaying a $3-million planning grant essential for moving the project forward.
As part of her initiative, the town provided raffle prizes to residents who participated in a survey designed to gather support for the new hospital.
WATCH | Health minister says new hospital could be operational in 10 years:
New Whitby hospital will be built and operational in 10 years: health minister
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones made this announcement during a news conference held in Oshawa on Thursday.
In April, Ford accused Roy of trying to pressure him and critiqued her tactics for rallying community support for the hospital, labeling them “improper.” He mentioned that the raffle offering prizes like gym memberships and Apple i Watches could violate ethics rules.
“You can’t be doing that. Elected officials cannot be pulling these games. We’ve committed to make sure we have a hospital in Durham,” Ford said at that time.
“We’re going to go through the process and I’m not going to be bullied by that mayor out there that’s constantly going out there and offering everything under the kitchen sink.”
Ford stood alongside Jones on Thursday while announcing the new hospital. Roy was not present at this news conference.
In her statement, Roy expressed she was “absolutely thrilled” that the province has “recognized the urgent need for a new hospital.”
Roy specifically thanked Ford and Jones while also appreciating Whitby residents who took part in advocating for this cause.
“Our community rallied behind this cause,” she said. “You spoke, and the province heard you.”
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Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy has argued for months that a new hospital is desperately needed as the town’s population grows and strain on health-care resources grows. (CBC)
The larger master plan being developed by Lakeridge Health will also include adding 300 new hospital beds throughout Durham.
This effort involves redeveloping an existing facility in Bowmanville along with creating a new post-acute care center in Pickering focused on rehabilitation and recovery. The province along with Lakeridge is also exploring options for redeveloping Ajax Pickering Hospital.
Lakeridge indicates that this provincial funding will help address gaps related to complex continuing care and rehabilitation services across the region.
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New Whitby hospital will be built and operational in 10 years: health minister
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones made this announcement during a news conference held in Oshawa on Thursday.
In April, Ford accused Roy of trying to pressure him and critiqued her tactics for rallying community support for the hospital, labeling them “improper.” He mentioned that the raffle offering prizes like gym memberships and Apple i Watches could violate ethics rules.
“You can’t be doing that. Elected officials cannot be pulling these games. We’ve committed to make sure we have a hospital in Durham,” Ford said at that time.
“We’re going to go through the process and I’m not going to be bullied by that mayor out there that’s constantly going out there and offering everything under the kitchen sink.”
Ford stood alongside Jones on Thursday while announcing the new hospital. Roy was not present at this news conference.
In her statement, Roy expressed she was “absolutely thrilled” that the province has “recognized the urgent need for a new hospital.”
Roy specifically thanked Ford and Jones while also appreciating Whitby residents who took part in advocating for this cause.
“Our community rallied behind this cause,” she said. “You spoke, and the province heard you.”
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