Provincial Election -- Candidate Survey
On May 26, 2014, we sent the provincial election candidates three questions to help voters understand their position on the proposed new hospital.
On May 26, 2014, we sent the provincial election candidates three questions to help voters understand their position on the proposed new hospital.
Here are the responses as we receive them, copied in their entirety, in the order received:
Mark Vercouteren, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Essex
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
The Green Party supports having health care teams in various locations. It would include several types of doctors. Kitchener, and Windsor have a similar population size, Kitchener is where my wife is from, and where I lived for 13 years. It has 2 main hospitals: St. Mary’s, and Grand River hospital (K-W) they attend to different needs of the community, both are different acute care hospitals, one specializes in cardiac care, the other supportive services, and is a maternity hospital. A centralized location for a hospital is the most logical option, not necessarily a single mega hospital.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
The Green Party is always opened for discussions on issues that affect communities, not just in the affects in the short term but the long term as well.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The Green Party supports Smart Growth, the proposed area doesn’t support Smart Growth. We need to have healthcare closer to communities infilling on existing commercial or under utilized lands, such as brownfields (when cleaned up) but not on much needed green spaces or farm lands. A centralized location for a hospital, and located along bus routes.
Mark Vercouteren, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Essex
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
The Green Party supports having health care teams in various locations. It would include several types of doctors. Kitchener, and Windsor have a similar population size, Kitchener is where my wife is from, and where I lived for 13 years. It has 2 main hospitals: St. Mary’s, and Grand River hospital (K-W) they attend to different needs of the community, both are different acute care hospitals, one specializes in cardiac care, the other supportive services, and is a maternity hospital. A centralized location for a hospital is the most logical option, not necessarily a single mega hospital.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
The Green Party is always opened for discussions on issues that affect communities, not just in the affects in the short term but the long term as well.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The Green Party supports Smart Growth, the proposed area doesn’t support Smart Growth. We need to have healthcare closer to communities infilling on existing commercial or under utilized lands, such as brownfields (when cleaned up) but not on much needed green spaces or farm lands. A centralized location for a hospital, and located along bus routes.
Ray Cecile, Progressive Conservative candidate for Essex
Q: Do you support a single acute care hospital
A: Yes, and we could pay for it with just one interest payment on the debt the Liberals have left us with. We can do even more projects like this if we balance our books and stop wasting money on MaRs and gas plant scandals. Lower debt means better healthcare for all.
Q: Widespread consultation on development
A: Absolutely, like all facilities, it is important that as many voices are heard as possible from beginning to end. This will be a place where we go to get the assistance we need to get healthy again. No one hopes to go to the hospital, but when we have the occasion where one of our loved ones has to, we can only hope it will be a place that provides comfort. And everyone’s input will only make the development of the facility better.
Q: Important criteria for site placement
A: We live in a large geographical area, if the site selection committee selects a site on one end of the region due to population density, then I hope we also make sure that Leamington’s hospital is kept up to date and other healthcare options are available to residents that may end up far away from this new facility, to ensure proper care. In short, I’m no expert in hospital site placement, but I would think accessibility to the facility from all areas in this region would be an important part of the criteria.
Q: Do you support a single acute care hospital
A: Yes, and we could pay for it with just one interest payment on the debt the Liberals have left us with. We can do even more projects like this if we balance our books and stop wasting money on MaRs and gas plant scandals. Lower debt means better healthcare for all.
Q: Widespread consultation on development
A: Absolutely, like all facilities, it is important that as many voices are heard as possible from beginning to end. This will be a place where we go to get the assistance we need to get healthy again. No one hopes to go to the hospital, but when we have the occasion where one of our loved ones has to, we can only hope it will be a place that provides comfort. And everyone’s input will only make the development of the facility better.
Q: Important criteria for site placement
A: We live in a large geographical area, if the site selection committee selects a site on one end of the region due to population density, then I hope we also make sure that Leamington’s hospital is kept up to date and other healthcare options are available to residents that may end up far away from this new facility, to ensure proper care. In short, I’m no expert in hospital site placement, but I would think accessibility to the facility from all areas in this region would be an important part of the criteria.
Adam Wright, Green Party candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
If this is an opportunity to bring provincial dollars to our community, to revitalize our city and to promote modernizing facilities for sate-of-the art medical treatment to the benefit of the public and the doctors, nurses and support staff who work in our currently existing, under-funded facilities, I do support the new hospital. If it comes at the expense of community care, closing existing hospitals and clinics that serve local neighbourhoods while denying citizen input, I would have serious reservations and concerns.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
First and foremost, I believe we need to respect the community's decision by supporting a collaborative process in an open, transparent way that allows for as much public feedback as possible. The selection committee should be composed of experts in the medical and urban planning fields, but should also consider that we as citizens are the experts in our own lives. We are the experts in our own desires and only we know how we can be most empowered. At the end of the day, it is our own tax dollars paying for our own healthcare system. The Green Party supports accountability in government. The Green Party support "honesty, integrity and good public policy in provincial politics". I am absolutely committed to these principles.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Certainly, at the top of the list is accessibility. In our community, there are no second class citizens. Accessibility means that seniors, kids, pedestrians, and persons living with disabilities should be able to access the hospital using a variety of means including cycling, public transportation, safe pedestrian walkways, or cars. Preferably, the location will be in an area either already underserved by medical facilities or where the need is greatest. It is also extremely important to consider the choice of a brownfield site over a greenfield site. We are fighting urban blight in Windsor and Detroit. We are fighting against urban sprawl, overdevelopment and the loss of naturalized spaces as well. To consider both of these will mean a new building of this significance should be located on land where it has the potential to change our urban landscape for the better. Revitalizing the downtown core by building the hospital there would also have the benefit of boosting local businesses as well as giving us serious reasons to invest in public transportation and healthy lifestyle infrastructure. Ultimately though, my opinions are not worth more than those of others so these are just some suggestions to get started and the final decision will hopefully be made by the combined input of experts and the community at large.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
If this is an opportunity to bring provincial dollars to our community, to revitalize our city and to promote modernizing facilities for sate-of-the art medical treatment to the benefit of the public and the doctors, nurses and support staff who work in our currently existing, under-funded facilities, I do support the new hospital. If it comes at the expense of community care, closing existing hospitals and clinics that serve local neighbourhoods while denying citizen input, I would have serious reservations and concerns.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
First and foremost, I believe we need to respect the community's decision by supporting a collaborative process in an open, transparent way that allows for as much public feedback as possible. The selection committee should be composed of experts in the medical and urban planning fields, but should also consider that we as citizens are the experts in our own lives. We are the experts in our own desires and only we know how we can be most empowered. At the end of the day, it is our own tax dollars paying for our own healthcare system. The Green Party supports accountability in government. The Green Party support "honesty, integrity and good public policy in provincial politics". I am absolutely committed to these principles.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Certainly, at the top of the list is accessibility. In our community, there are no second class citizens. Accessibility means that seniors, kids, pedestrians, and persons living with disabilities should be able to access the hospital using a variety of means including cycling, public transportation, safe pedestrian walkways, or cars. Preferably, the location will be in an area either already underserved by medical facilities or where the need is greatest. It is also extremely important to consider the choice of a brownfield site over a greenfield site. We are fighting urban blight in Windsor and Detroit. We are fighting against urban sprawl, overdevelopment and the loss of naturalized spaces as well. To consider both of these will mean a new building of this significance should be located on land where it has the potential to change our urban landscape for the better. Revitalizing the downtown core by building the hospital there would also have the benefit of boosting local businesses as well as giving us serious reasons to invest in public transportation and healthy lifestyle infrastructure. Ultimately though, my opinions are not worth more than those of others so these are just some suggestions to get started and the final decision will hopefully be made by the combined input of experts and the community at large.
Timothy Joel Marshall, Libertarian Party candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I do not in any way support a single site acute care hospital for our region. Ontario's healthcare providers are second to none but they are handcuffed by a broken system. With the shambles that our healthcare is in, we would be building a billion dollar waiting room. Taking services from hospitals throughout the community and amalgamating them has been a disaster from the very start, and if we continue to allow this to happen it is only going to get worse. It is a demonstration of how a government monopoly on healthcare is a disservice to Ontarians. We call it universal healthcare, but we know very well it does not mean 'universal access to healthcare'. The Ontario government ultimately determines what healthcare procedures they deem 'universal' - there are many stories of Ontarians needing lifesaving procedures or drugs and the government refuses to provide them, leaving them to often times pay for it out of their own pocket. Access to private health insurance would ensure that individuals could choose their own levels of coverage and not be limited by their government in what types of healthcare they were able to access. If our healthcare system is so great, why are we rushing acute care patients across the Canada/US border to American hospitals for emergency procedures? Could it be they have better access to healthcare than we do?
Building medical centres throughout a city is a far greater service to its citizens than a single acute care facility. Building one mega-hospital will ensure that inevitably many citizens will be a great distance from it, regardless of the site that is chosen. I see this only as a letdown by our system and a disappointing waste of our tax dollars.
If we want to ensure that we do not have innovation and growth in research and techniques in medicine, place it all under one roof. We are then at the whims of potential political and personal agendas of the very few people that will oversee the running of this single acute care site. Put it all under one roof, and you now have only one choice in the region for which hospital you will attend. This does not bode well for choice of healthcare in our region.
At this time, it would serve us better to upgrade our current facilities and maintain them at a lesser cost, than wait 7-10 years for a new building that may not even happen and do nothing with what we have now.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
Of course. Open and democratic conversations are at the very core of Libertarian values and it is what makes me proud to call myself Libertarian. Eleven people on a subcommittee is not the widest possible community consultation, and I do not envy the work ahead for these 11 professionals. I hope they come into this process with open minds and open ears.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
As a representative the most important criteria is what the people want. What have the citizens brought forward in an open and democratic process? Is there any criteria more important than this?
As a citizen - having a hospital close to my home is important to me, no further than 20 minutes of city driving I would consider within reason. Met Hospital is about 15 minutes from my home by car and its potential closure will be a disappointment to myself, my neighbours, and our community. This hospital is also along bus routes and within walking distance of many members of the community, and is not the only choice for acute care in the city or region itself. I think these are reasonable expectations for myself and any citizen to have. Building a single site will not meet this criteria equally for all citizens in our region.
Building this facility on a green site makes no sense whatsoever. If the government is opposed to urban sprawl (and it should be) why would it use our tax dollars to promote it? Building a new hospital on a green site will only lead to further development and loss of agricultural land in whichever site is chosen. There are plenty of brown sites to choose from, and as I have said earlier, if we have more than one choice for acute care in Windsor-Tecumseh, we don't need 60 acres all in one spot to build this proposed facility. I can not think of a greater waste of already existing resources and infrastructure than to develop a green site for this hospital.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I do not in any way support a single site acute care hospital for our region. Ontario's healthcare providers are second to none but they are handcuffed by a broken system. With the shambles that our healthcare is in, we would be building a billion dollar waiting room. Taking services from hospitals throughout the community and amalgamating them has been a disaster from the very start, and if we continue to allow this to happen it is only going to get worse. It is a demonstration of how a government monopoly on healthcare is a disservice to Ontarians. We call it universal healthcare, but we know very well it does not mean 'universal access to healthcare'. The Ontario government ultimately determines what healthcare procedures they deem 'universal' - there are many stories of Ontarians needing lifesaving procedures or drugs and the government refuses to provide them, leaving them to often times pay for it out of their own pocket. Access to private health insurance would ensure that individuals could choose their own levels of coverage and not be limited by their government in what types of healthcare they were able to access. If our healthcare system is so great, why are we rushing acute care patients across the Canada/US border to American hospitals for emergency procedures? Could it be they have better access to healthcare than we do?
Building medical centres throughout a city is a far greater service to its citizens than a single acute care facility. Building one mega-hospital will ensure that inevitably many citizens will be a great distance from it, regardless of the site that is chosen. I see this only as a letdown by our system and a disappointing waste of our tax dollars.
If we want to ensure that we do not have innovation and growth in research and techniques in medicine, place it all under one roof. We are then at the whims of potential political and personal agendas of the very few people that will oversee the running of this single acute care site. Put it all under one roof, and you now have only one choice in the region for which hospital you will attend. This does not bode well for choice of healthcare in our region.
At this time, it would serve us better to upgrade our current facilities and maintain them at a lesser cost, than wait 7-10 years for a new building that may not even happen and do nothing with what we have now.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
Of course. Open and democratic conversations are at the very core of Libertarian values and it is what makes me proud to call myself Libertarian. Eleven people on a subcommittee is not the widest possible community consultation, and I do not envy the work ahead for these 11 professionals. I hope they come into this process with open minds and open ears.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
As a representative the most important criteria is what the people want. What have the citizens brought forward in an open and democratic process? Is there any criteria more important than this?
As a citizen - having a hospital close to my home is important to me, no further than 20 minutes of city driving I would consider within reason. Met Hospital is about 15 minutes from my home by car and its potential closure will be a disappointment to myself, my neighbours, and our community. This hospital is also along bus routes and within walking distance of many members of the community, and is not the only choice for acute care in the city or region itself. I think these are reasonable expectations for myself and any citizen to have. Building a single site will not meet this criteria equally for all citizens in our region.
Building this facility on a green site makes no sense whatsoever. If the government is opposed to urban sprawl (and it should be) why would it use our tax dollars to promote it? Building a new hospital on a green site will only lead to further development and loss of agricultural land in whichever site is chosen. There are plenty of brown sites to choose from, and as I have said earlier, if we have more than one choice for acute care in Windsor-Tecumseh, we don't need 60 acres all in one spot to build this proposed facility. I can not think of a greater waste of already existing resources and infrastructure than to develop a green site for this hospital.
Crystal Meloche, Liberal Party candidate for Essex
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I do support a new single site acute care hospital in our region. Our residents deserve a state of the art facility and by having a great health care system in Windsor/Essex county it will not only attract more doctors and specialist to our area but it will also bring more residents/retirees to our area. We are a retirement destination but our seniors want to be sure they can receive the health care the need close to home.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
If is very important to have the community involved in this decision. I know we have a task force assigned to choosing the hospitals location and this is a great step in the right direction. I believe with such a major project we need to hold open house sessions and obtain the opinions of our residents.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Several things must be considered when choosing a location. Accessibility to me is the most important. We have many citizens without access to public transportation and this must be put into consideration when choosing a location. I don't agree with moving the hospital so far out of the City as to take away from other services that go along with health care. I can't say what amount of land is needed to build this facility but I do believe the task force will look at all examples when choosing the appropriate location. We must be sure that our most vulnerable residents have access to the health care they deserve.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I do support a new single site acute care hospital in our region. Our residents deserve a state of the art facility and by having a great health care system in Windsor/Essex county it will not only attract more doctors and specialist to our area but it will also bring more residents/retirees to our area. We are a retirement destination but our seniors want to be sure they can receive the health care the need close to home.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
If is very important to have the community involved in this decision. I know we have a task force assigned to choosing the hospitals location and this is a great step in the right direction. I believe with such a major project we need to hold open house sessions and obtain the opinions of our residents.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Several things must be considered when choosing a location. Accessibility to me is the most important. We have many citizens without access to public transportation and this must be put into consideration when choosing a location. I don't agree with moving the hospital so far out of the City as to take away from other services that go along with health care. I can't say what amount of land is needed to build this facility but I do believe the task force will look at all examples when choosing the appropriate location. We must be sure that our most vulnerable residents have access to the health care they deserve.
Dan Gelinas, NDP candidate for Chatham Kent Essex
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
While Liberals and PCs take shots at each over healthcare in the Niagara region and play games for political
points, the best interests of the people of the region have been ignored. The Ontario NDP is the only party
firmly committed to providing adequate funding for infrastructure and services in the communities where
they are needed. We have been clear all along that any future plans for hospitals or clinics must ensure that
no community elsewhere is denied the care it needs. We fully support new, state of the art health facilities,
but we also remain committed to making sure that people can get the best care possible in local community
clinics or hospitals. Any new facilities or services must not come at the expense of others in smaller
communities in the rest of the region. Instead of improving care, Liberals have cut nurses and beds all across
the region and the PCs plan to deepen those cuts. The Ontario NDP believes in high quality, public healthcare
that is accessible for all Ontarians. We stand firmly against the erosion of these principles and services.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process
in the development of the hospital?
To date, the process has been inadequate for the public to have a meaningful role. The Ontario NDP is
committed to working with the Site Selection Steering Committee to build a more inclusive role for public
consultation and a more transparent and accountable process. We know from several examples under Liberal
governments that these kinds of important decisions get made for political reasons without regard to the
best interest of the communities themselves. In 2009, at the request of Andrea Horwath, the Ombudsman
had to investigate a similar situation where decisions to integrate health services in Hamilton were made
without public input and had negative impacts on community care. Unlike the Liberals, we will require real
and wide consultation when we make a decision on where the site will be located.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The foremost concern in deciding where to locate hospitals must be that the healthcare needs of the people
of the region are served and that the highest level of care is accessible for everyone. Part of this involves
considering supporting health infrastructure in the area, including existing clinics and planned health centres.
The specific characteristics and needs of the community and predicted changes to population and
demographics are important. Road infrastructure, transit, transportation and air ambulance availability will
play a role. Considerations around the impacts of a facility’s location on staffing needs to be studied – where
we can place a hospital where it will create jobs, attract people to communities, make sure that we can
attract the best doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals and that existing staff can keep their jobs with
minimal disruption. Environmental and land use issues as well as urban and community planning factors
should be weighed. There are a multitude of factors that must be considered in deciding on hospitals, but the
utmost goal must be to ensure the highest level of care is accessible to all and that the public is adequately
consulted and engaged in the process.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
While Liberals and PCs take shots at each over healthcare in the Niagara region and play games for political
points, the best interests of the people of the region have been ignored. The Ontario NDP is the only party
firmly committed to providing adequate funding for infrastructure and services in the communities where
they are needed. We have been clear all along that any future plans for hospitals or clinics must ensure that
no community elsewhere is denied the care it needs. We fully support new, state of the art health facilities,
but we also remain committed to making sure that people can get the best care possible in local community
clinics or hospitals. Any new facilities or services must not come at the expense of others in smaller
communities in the rest of the region. Instead of improving care, Liberals have cut nurses and beds all across
the region and the PCs plan to deepen those cuts. The Ontario NDP believes in high quality, public healthcare
that is accessible for all Ontarians. We stand firmly against the erosion of these principles and services.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process
in the development of the hospital?
To date, the process has been inadequate for the public to have a meaningful role. The Ontario NDP is
committed to working with the Site Selection Steering Committee to build a more inclusive role for public
consultation and a more transparent and accountable process. We know from several examples under Liberal
governments that these kinds of important decisions get made for political reasons without regard to the
best interest of the communities themselves. In 2009, at the request of Andrea Horwath, the Ombudsman
had to investigate a similar situation where decisions to integrate health services in Hamilton were made
without public input and had negative impacts on community care. Unlike the Liberals, we will require real
and wide consultation when we make a decision on where the site will be located.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The foremost concern in deciding where to locate hospitals must be that the healthcare needs of the people
of the region are served and that the highest level of care is accessible for everyone. Part of this involves
considering supporting health infrastructure in the area, including existing clinics and planned health centres.
The specific characteristics and needs of the community and predicted changes to population and
demographics are important. Road infrastructure, transit, transportation and air ambulance availability will
play a role. Considerations around the impacts of a facility’s location on staffing needs to be studied – where
we can place a hospital where it will create jobs, attract people to communities, make sure that we can
attract the best doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals and that existing staff can keep their jobs with
minimal disruption. Environmental and land use issues as well as urban and community planning factors
should be weighed. There are a multitude of factors that must be considered in deciding on hospitals, but the
utmost goal must be to ensure the highest level of care is accessible to all and that the public is adequately
consulted and engaged in the process.
Brandon Wright, PC candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I fully support a proposed single site acute care "mega" hospital for the region, and, in fact, Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak was the first party leader to come out and pledge his support for the initiative. Windsor's facilities are aging, many services must be performed out region such as in London, Toronto or the United States, and we still have a number of 2-4 patient rooms in our hospitals, which are inadequate for infection control.
Windsor is slating itself as the future retirement home of Canada because it's small-city appeal with the amenities of a large city nearby, its low housing costs, and its climate. Having a modern facility will make our region more attractive in this initiative and it can help to attract many specialists to the area where they might have previously gone to other regions with newer technology.
Windsor's hospitals have come together in a way never before seen in the province. Hospital boards have merged quicker than envisioned, and the community at large seems to have embraced the initiative. I await the results of further studies and planning.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
If elected, I will ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital. The public were recently encouraged to offer their input about a number of issues involving the hospital. The megahospital initiative has seen the community come together like never before and I think the open and democratic nature of the planning for this hospital will ensure the end result will benefit patients and the people of this region best.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
I think there are several criteria that are important when considering a site for a new hospital. The size of land is important because we want the building to be big enough and also have the ability to accommodate parking. Finding a spot with the appropriate urban density is important because it does little good if every single person must be transported at a great distance to come to the hospital. Access to highways, major roadways and possibly the border are all important criteria as well. Environmental impact of the site as well.
When it comes to choosing a site for the hospital, I plan to work with the leading experts, and will give strong consideration to their recommendations as to where the hospital ought to be built.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I fully support a proposed single site acute care "mega" hospital for the region, and, in fact, Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak was the first party leader to come out and pledge his support for the initiative. Windsor's facilities are aging, many services must be performed out region such as in London, Toronto or the United States, and we still have a number of 2-4 patient rooms in our hospitals, which are inadequate for infection control.
Windsor is slating itself as the future retirement home of Canada because it's small-city appeal with the amenities of a large city nearby, its low housing costs, and its climate. Having a modern facility will make our region more attractive in this initiative and it can help to attract many specialists to the area where they might have previously gone to other regions with newer technology.
Windsor's hospitals have come together in a way never before seen in the province. Hospital boards have merged quicker than envisioned, and the community at large seems to have embraced the initiative. I await the results of further studies and planning.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
If elected, I will ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital. The public were recently encouraged to offer their input about a number of issues involving the hospital. The megahospital initiative has seen the community come together like never before and I think the open and democratic nature of the planning for this hospital will ensure the end result will benefit patients and the people of this region best.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
I think there are several criteria that are important when considering a site for a new hospital. The size of land is important because we want the building to be big enough and also have the ability to accommodate parking. Finding a spot with the appropriate urban density is important because it does little good if every single person must be transported at a great distance to come to the hospital. Access to highways, major roadways and possibly the border are all important criteria as well. Environmental impact of the site as well.
When it comes to choosing a site for the hospital, I plan to work with the leading experts, and will give strong consideration to their recommendations as to where the hospital ought to be built.
Teresa Piruzza, Liberal candidate for Windsor-West
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
Yes, I support the construction of a hospital. Eighteen months ago, I chaired a task force with Dave Cooke and Tom Porter that demonstrated the need for a new hospital. A local representative needs to do more than just stand by the sidelines as a process unfolds. We need an MPP that will ensure the hospital planning committee and the community have a strong two-way dialogue and will help keep this project on track and moving forward.
The Ontario Liberal government has been supportive of the project and has committed $37.5 million for the planning process of the new hospital.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
As a local representative, I want a fair and open process that will guide the construction of a new hospital. With the right process, we will have the right outcome and move forward with the construction of a new hospital as soon as possible.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Community access and accessibility to the site are critical. The location must serve the needs of our community for both today and tomorrow. We need a site that will serve our community for generations to come.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
Yes, I support the construction of a hospital. Eighteen months ago, I chaired a task force with Dave Cooke and Tom Porter that demonstrated the need for a new hospital. A local representative needs to do more than just stand by the sidelines as a process unfolds. We need an MPP that will ensure the hospital planning committee and the community have a strong two-way dialogue and will help keep this project on track and moving forward.
The Ontario Liberal government has been supportive of the project and has committed $37.5 million for the planning process of the new hospital.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
As a local representative, I want a fair and open process that will guide the construction of a new hospital. With the right process, we will have the right outcome and move forward with the construction of a new hospital as soon as possible.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Community access and accessibility to the site are critical. The location must serve the needs of our community for both today and tomorrow. We need a site that will serve our community for generations to come.
Collective response from the 3 regional NDP candidates Lisa Gretzky, Taras Natyshak and Percy Hatfield
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
While Liberals and PCs take shots at each over healthcare in the Niagara region and play games for political
points, the best interests of the people of the region have been ignored. The Ontario NDP is the only party
firmly committed to providing adequate funding for infrastructure and services in the communities where
they are needed. We have been clear all along that any future plans for hospitals or clinics must ensure that
no community elsewhere is denied the care it needs. We fully support new, state of the art health facilities,
but we also remain committed to making sure that people can get the best care possible in local community
clinics or hospitals. Any new facilities or services must not come at the expense of others in smaller
communities in the rest of the region. Instead of improving care, Liberals have cut nurses and beds all across
the region and the PCs plan to deepen those cuts. The Ontario NDP believes in high quality, public healthcare
that is accessible for all Ontarians. We stand firmly against the erosion of these principles and services.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process
in the development of the hospital?
To date, the process has been inadequate for the public to have a meaningful role. The Ontario NDP is
committed to working with the Site Selection Steering Committee to build a more inclusive role for public
consultation and a more transparent and accountable process. We know from several examples under Liberal
governments that these kinds of important decisions get made for political reasons without regard to the
best interest of the communities themselves. In 2009, at the request of Andrea Horwath, the Ombudsman
had to investigate a similar situation where decisions to integrate health services in Hamilton were made
without public input and had negative impacts on community care. Unlike the Liberals, we will require real
and wide consultation when we make a decision on where the site will be located.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The foremost concern in deciding where to locate hospitals must be that the healthcare needs of the people
of the region are served and that the highest level of care is accessible for everyone. Part of this involves
considering supporting health infrastructure in the area, including existing clinics and planned health centres.
The specific characteristics and needs of the community and predicted changes to population and
demographics are important. Road infrastructure, transit, transportation and air ambulance availability will
play a role. Considerations around the impacts of a facility’s location on staffing needs to be studied – where
we can place a hospital where it will create jobs, attract people to communities, make sure that we can
attract the best doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals and that existing staff can keep their jobs with
minimal disruption. Environmental and land use issues as well as urban and community planning factors
should be weighed. There are a multitude of factors that must be considered in deciding on hospitals, but the
utmost goal must be to ensure the highest level of care is accessible to all and that the public is adequately
consulted and engaged in the process.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
While Liberals and PCs take shots at each over healthcare in the Niagara region and play games for political
points, the best interests of the people of the region have been ignored. The Ontario NDP is the only party
firmly committed to providing adequate funding for infrastructure and services in the communities where
they are needed. We have been clear all along that any future plans for hospitals or clinics must ensure that
no community elsewhere is denied the care it needs. We fully support new, state of the art health facilities,
but we also remain committed to making sure that people can get the best care possible in local community
clinics or hospitals. Any new facilities or services must not come at the expense of others in smaller
communities in the rest of the region. Instead of improving care, Liberals have cut nurses and beds all across
the region and the PCs plan to deepen those cuts. The Ontario NDP believes in high quality, public healthcare
that is accessible for all Ontarians. We stand firmly against the erosion of these principles and services.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process
in the development of the hospital?
To date, the process has been inadequate for the public to have a meaningful role. The Ontario NDP is
committed to working with the Site Selection Steering Committee to build a more inclusive role for public
consultation and a more transparent and accountable process. We know from several examples under Liberal
governments that these kinds of important decisions get made for political reasons without regard to the
best interest of the communities themselves. In 2009, at the request of Andrea Horwath, the Ombudsman
had to investigate a similar situation where decisions to integrate health services in Hamilton were made
without public input and had negative impacts on community care. Unlike the Liberals, we will require real
and wide consultation when we make a decision on where the site will be located.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
The foremost concern in deciding where to locate hospitals must be that the healthcare needs of the people
of the region are served and that the highest level of care is accessible for everyone. Part of this involves
considering supporting health infrastructure in the area, including existing clinics and planned health centres.
The specific characteristics and needs of the community and predicted changes to population and
demographics are important. Road infrastructure, transit, transportation and air ambulance availability will
play a role. Considerations around the impacts of a facility’s location on staffing needs to be studied – where
we can place a hospital where it will create jobs, attract people to communities, make sure that we can
attract the best doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals and that existing staff can keep their jobs with
minimal disruption. Environmental and land use issues as well as urban and community planning factors
should be weighed. There are a multitude of factors that must be considered in deciding on hospitals, but the
utmost goal must be to ensure the highest level of care is accessible to all and that the public is adequately
consulted and engaged in the process.
Jason Dupuis, Liberal candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I absolutely support a single site state of the art acute care facility in our region. We have two aging hospitals which offer neither the technology, nor space our community needs. Having spent time there with my father while he battled cancer, I noticed how lacking our local health infrastructure was. The environment for not only the patients, but also the doctors, nurses and support workers is far inferior to conditions in places like London or Toronto. We need a new facility to increase not only the quality of care, but also the access to more diagnostic and treatment technology that we lack at the moment.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital? I believe in public and professional consultation as part of the process in selecting a site for this new hospital. Through open dialogue, we can identify the needs and strengths of areas considered for the site, and engage communities that may be affected by the location. If we consult with all relevant communities, and stakeholders, we will have a positive outcome when it comes time to build this facility.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Population density, speed of access for emergency vehicles to surrounding communities, and ease of access for those in the community. We must have a long term plan, and anticipate future needs of our region as well as existing needs.
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
I absolutely support a single site state of the art acute care facility in our region. We have two aging hospitals which offer neither the technology, nor space our community needs. Having spent time there with my father while he battled cancer, I noticed how lacking our local health infrastructure was. The environment for not only the patients, but also the doctors, nurses and support workers is far inferior to conditions in places like London or Toronto. We need a new facility to increase not only the quality of care, but also the access to more diagnostic and treatment technology that we lack at the moment.
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital? I believe in public and professional consultation as part of the process in selecting a site for this new hospital. Through open dialogue, we can identify the needs and strengths of areas considered for the site, and engage communities that may be affected by the location. If we consult with all relevant communities, and stakeholders, we will have a positive outcome when it comes time to build this facility.
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
Population density, speed of access for emergency vehicles to surrounding communities, and ease of access for those in the community. We must have a long term plan, and anticipate future needs of our region as well as existing needs.