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MPPs Spar Over Port Colborne Hospital

Jeff Burch accused the government of having a Port Colborne family pay $400 for a luxury spa, instead of ensuring hospital stays open in 2028

The closure of the Port Colborne hospital in 2028 once again brought to the Ontario legislature by Niagara Centre's NDP MPP.

Jeff Burch accused the government of instead focusing on a spa at Ontario place.  "Why is a family in Port Colborne, who could be losing their urgent care centre, be expected to pay $400 for a luxury spa in downtown Toronto?"

The Health Minister's Parliamentary Assistant Anthony Leardi responded by giving stats of investments the government is making across the province, including details of the South Niagara hospital.  "Of course, that's only one example of the many, many hospital projects, that are new projects, and redevelopment projects that are occurring across the province of Ontario." 

Burch accused him of not answering the question.

The local MPP also said Niagara Health needs a planning grant for a new hospital to replace the aging one.  "This minister has refused to respond to our request for a planning grant, or to calls from the community to restore their emergency surgical services."

Again, Leardi referred to investments, including a $44-million fund to reduce emergency room wait times.  "In addition to that, a $10-million fund that's paying for 1,000 nurses to update their emergency department skills."

 

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