Flipping through the online version of the Halton Compass, I came across an article in the November 11th edition about Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh asking the Health Minister Deb Matthews and anyone else involved about answers to Milton’s questions … when are we getting the hospital?
He wasn’t too impressed with the ministers answers during a committee meeting. The video below the article is of the exchange (courtesy of Ted Chudleighs website)
Chudleigh Says Liberals evasive on Milton Hospital
According to Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh, Minister of Health Deborah Matthews has more moves than a prize-fighting boxer when it comes to dealing with the expansion of Milton District Hospital.
“She bobbed and weaved so much in answering a question (about the hospital) today that she again provided no concrete answer to a legitimate question.” fumed Chudleigh on November 2.
Chudleigh asked why the Ministry has been spending millions on consultants but has been pleading poor when it comes to providing the funds necessary to expand Milton’s small hospital.
“Minister Matthews dodged, went off topic and dodged again.” said Chudleigh. “Her refusal to answer a legitimate question in the Legislature should anger Miltonians and all Ontarioians.”
Chudleigh explained that Milton’s hospital was built with a population of 30,000 in mind. The town now boasts more than 90.000 residents and the population keeps rising, and is expected to grow more than 180,000 in another decade.
According to Chudleigh, the people of Milton have waited three years for action to be taken on the expansion of Milton’s hospital. The money frittered away on consultants, as detailed in the Ontario Auditor’s Report, would have easily paid for the complete and necessary expansion of the Milton facility, he said.
“It’s pretty clear,” Chudleigh said. “that the health care of Miltonians is less important to a Liberal government than transferring taxpayer’s money into the hands of their friends.”
Ted has spoken out many times over the last few years at the provincial level about the needs of Milton’s healthcare needs. Here is an example of Ted in action.
During the last municipal campaign, the hospital was obviously one of the big issues. I had stated, along with pretty much everyone who’s name was on a ballot, that the new Milton Town Council would do what they could to raise this issue with the provincial government. I used the words “get off their duff” (believe me I wanted to use stronger words than that) when it comes to the expansion of our hospital. Give us an answer either way so we can start planning at the local level when it comes to funding ideas for our portion. This inaction isn’t helping Miltonians at all.
We need to put some more pressure on the provincial government. Sending copies of reports and statements by council to anyone with an “@ontario.ca” email address isnt cutting it. The provincial government spends its days telling municipalities like Milton and other surrounding communities that we have to grow by “X” amount in the next 10 years…but provides no financial assistance to get it done. Just do it we’re told.
As this new council gets ready to go, we need to put together a plan that will help raise awareness of this inside the provincial government. Many thanks to Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh for raising the issue in the provincial legislature on a regular basis. Mr Chudleighs been known for time to time for ruffling a few feathers in the provincial government and I’m sure this isn’t the last time he’ll speak out about it.
Something has to be done. A long time ago. Its starts with a loud voice…then it turns into more.
Comments
5 Responses to “Halton MPP Says Provincial Government “evasive” when it comes to MDH”
Right On!!!
Watching that video of the health minister tap dancing makes me think she should ge hired for “Dancing with the Stars” tv show.
Near the end she simply lays blame on the previous government. Doesn’t work Minister. Your government has been in power too long for that excuse to cut it.
As Mike says get off your duff and do something. She praises the new hospital in Oakville which coincidentally has a LIBERAL MPP (Ted is a PC MPP) but Ted was talking about Milton residents.
I’m sure the Oakville hospital will help but Milton shouldn’t be ignored because of that. We’ve been ignored for too long. Time to step up!
Thanks pcm for your comment. A lot more needs to be done to address this problem we have and there seems to be too much blame and finger pointing going on instead of addressing the problem. – Mike
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Keith Marnoch and Keith Hesse, Mike Cluett. Mike Cluett said: New Blog Post http://bit.ly/e2lA7K Halton MPP Chudleigh says govt is "evasive" when it comes to #Milton Hospital #miltonhospitalexpansion […]
Good for Chudleigh! Someone’s got to stand up for Milton!
MPP Deb Matthews says Capital spending on a 100+ hospital projects around Ontario but not Milton – Canada’s fastest growing community.
I smell political games with the Liberal government and putting health care secondary in Milton likely because Ted Chudleigh is the MPP here.
The Milton community had the vision to purchase excess land when the time came to expand the Milton Hospital. The Ontario government wants Milton to import tens of thousands of new people to this town without providing the infrastructure and services so accommodate them.
The Liberal party always claim to be the Champions of Healthcare but are the ones who Champion Scandal leaving the rest of us without the Services we are entitled to through our tax dollars.
Im glad that someone is talking about it. I saw the coverage from the inauguration of Milton town council and only a couple of people brought it up.
Go for it Mike. You have my support for anything that needs to be done. Anyone with any political sense would realize that the provincial government chose Oakville and out east (both with liberal MPP’s) as the locations for new hospitals while Milton gets left behind … again.
I wish that more of council would get behind this and then maybe idiots like Tony Lambert would get off his “photo radar” kick and use his big mouth to help out the hospital. Someone needs to get his priorities in order.
Thanks for the comment Dave. I can say safely that everyone around the council table in Milton is committed to getting some action taken about the hospital. With a provincial election looming in 2011 its a good time to test the candidates and the leaders on their commitment to improving the delivery of health care services in Milton. – Mike