Ontario Investing in Health Care Infrastructure Upgrades and Repairs in Durham Region
Modernizing Health Care Infrastructure to Support Safe and High-Quality Care for Patients
Pickering, ON—Today, Members of Provincial Parliament Peter Bethlenfalvy (Pickering-Uxbridge), Lorne Coe (Whitby), Lindsey Park (Durham), and Rod Phillips (Ajax) announced by news release that the Ontario government is investing $2,159,786 to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance in Durham Region.
This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million investment in 2021-22 provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund (CIRF). It will ensure that patients can continue to access the care they need in safe, comfortable environments and that the local health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
Durham Region investments include:
Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund
- Lakeridge Health will receive $ 2,086,901
Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund
- Carea Community Health Centre will receive $ 72,885
Grants through the HIRF allow hospitals to proceed quickly with urgently needed upgrades, repairs and maintenance to their infrastructure. Grants through the CIRF allow eligible community-based Health Service Providers to address their minor infrastructure renewal projects. Projects under both streams can include replacing roofs and windows, upgrading HVAC systems, making improvements such as upgrading back-up generators and meeting requirements under the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code.
QUOTES:
“This vital funding will help Lakeridge Health and Carea Community Health Centre maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for hospital
staff and patients,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “Maintaining health care infrastructure is another example of how the government is ensuring members of our communities have access to health care services they can depend on, especially during these challenging times,” said Bethlenfalvy. “The investment strengthens the health care organization’s abilities to continue to serve on the critical front line of the battle against COVID-19.”
“Hospitals have been at the centre of the pandemic from day one providing excellent care for our sick and vulnerable, and responding to the various outbreaks without hesitation,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Chief Government Whip. “Clearly, this additional care comes at a cost, so as a Government we must step up and support them. We need to ensure that hospitals like Lakeridge Health remain viable, and are there for Whitby residents long after COVID 19 has been beaten.”
“Our Oshawa, Clarington and Scugog community relies on the services provided by our local hospitals and health care providers every day,” said Lindsey Park, MPP Durham. “This infrastructure funding helps support a healthy and safe environment where our incredible health care professionals can continue to provide reliable patient-centered care to the people of Durham.”
“Our government is investing over $2.1 million in healthcare here in Ajax to ensure our hospitals and, other healthcare providers, have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for patients,” said Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax. “Crucial investments in HVAC systems, medical gas systems, and back-up generators will assist in improving capacity and safety for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and for years to come.”
“Upgrading and maintaining hospitals and community health infrastructure is one more way our government is ensuring Ontarians receive the exceptional care when they need it and closer to home,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These crucial investments will help build the capacity needed to end hallway health care, while ensuring our hospitals have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for patients and continue responding to COVID-19.”
QUICK FACTS
- Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs to patients across the province, including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied health care such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy, and programs and services delivered by a public health unit.
- The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
- For 2021-22, Ontario has increased the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund by three per cent.
- The government is investing more than $22 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for health infrastructure projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in health infrastructure.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Supporting Hospitals with Additional Funding During COVID-19
Improving Health Care in Ontario
Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain
For information, contact:
| Eric Hutchins
Office Manager
Lorne Coe
MPP, Whitby
Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org
905-430-1141 |
| Safa Khan
Executive Assistant
Peter Bethlenflavy
MPP, Pickering-Uxbridge
Safa.khan@pc.ola.org
905-509-0336 |
| Dawn Matthew
Office Manager
Rod Phillips
MPP, Ajax
rod.phillipsco@pc.ola.org
905-427-2060 |
| Office of Lindsey Park
MPP, Durham
lindsey.park@pc.ola.org
905-697-1501 |