By MPP Graydon Smith
Much has been said and written about this past week with respect to the two new hospital redevelopments Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is planning and our government is funding. Some of that has been from me and I believe that as your Member of Provincial Parliament, who as a mayor and candidate for MPP, advocated vociferously and successfully for the funding to make these projects a reality, it is important for the residents of Muskoka and Almaguin to know where I stand.
It bears repeating here, clearly, and as definitively as possible: the residents of Muskoka and Almaguin will be getting two new, acute care hospital sites. The funding for these projects is not going anywhere. Our government is committed to making this redevelopment project a reality. Despite what is now being claimed by others, we were the first, and remain the only party willing to formally commit the funds necessary to deliver a two-site hospital solution for Muskoka and Almaguin.
The word “unprecedented” is being used a lot, particularly with respect to the funding committed to the project, because it is. The financial commitment from the provincial government remains larger on a per capita basis than anywhere else in Ontario, and
perhaps even the country. This story is not about a lack of funding; rather, it is about our provincial government and our local municipalities coming together to create a unique opportunity by working together.
There have been attempts by some parties or groups to politicize, for partisan gain, what remains a community-level planning process. They thrive on pitting people against one another, one town against the other; the south against the north and vice versa, not because they are interested in finding a solution, or will be part of finding that solution. They are interested only because they wish to further their own goals or air their grievances against the provincial government. They have disingenuously claimed that this is a process being led and manipulated by the province, when in fact it remains at the local level, being led by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC).
We must not lose sight of the fact that we are in an enviable position, whereby a catchment area with approximately 80,000 residents is receiving nearly the same amount of provincial funding as areas approaching 500,000 residents. This is not by chance or happenstance. It is the result of hard work by many, done quietly, far away from the toxicity of social media.
Given that MAHC’s proposal is still firmly rooted at the community planning level and that the province has not formally received a finalized plan, it remains my job, as it has
been from the beginning, to facilitate discussion and collaboration between MAHC, the community, and all other relevant stakeholders. This is not an inherently political or partisan process, so I have done my work quietly, until recently when it was important to provide an opinion and some context to the Board as someone who has been part of this discussion for a long time.
I know that this plan has its supporters and detractors. The former want me to issue a declarative statement of support and proclaim, “get on with it.” The latter would prefer that I denounce the plan and call for it to be scrapped. Unfortunately, the division between these two positions presently lies geographically between north and south. I do not, however, believe either of these positions is helpful in arriving at a solution that works for everyone.
The fact remains that a viable plan which ensures long-term success cannot be achieved when one half of the catchment area remains deeply unsupportive. Whether it is the north or the south, there must be more acceptance of the plan to assure long-term viability.
I am keenly aware of the fact that I represent every resident from Severn Bridge to South River. It would, again, be irresponsible of me to tell either the north or south to simply “get over it.” What I can do, on the other hand, is play a constructive role in finding a balance that both areas deem fair. That is what I am currently trying to do. In fact, in recent conversations I have had with all the parties involved, I believe finding a solution is closer than many may think. I also believe it need not take too much time.
I wish to emphasize once again that we do not run the risk of losing funding from this government and the talk of the “queue” that exists is more fluid than rigid as every hospital redevelopment project has its ups and downs. I continue to reinforce that these are priority redevelopment projects and have been assured that it is most critical to get the proposal right from the start, thereby avoiding having to revise and revisit critical components of the plan. The fastest way to move forward is for MAHC to submit a plan that is met with approval the first time around. What will help that is a level of community consensus.
We have a special opportunity before us. I know that everyone wants the best for their community for many generations to come. I encourage everyone to try to put themselves in the other’s shoes, be a bit more patient, a bit more conciliatory and together we will get to a place where everyone wins.
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Comparing facilities will not bring a top level facility to this region.
MPP Graydon Smith is skating on thin late March ice when he claims opponents to the current Huntsville centric acute care hospital are polticising the process for ‘partisan gain.’
Nothing is further from the truth. Smith should know better than to make such self serving statements. The opposition is from across the political spectrum. It’s he who is using political partisanship by making these baseless allegations in an effort to save his own political skin.
The statement that Muskoka is receiving funds equivalent to a community of 500,000 when it only has 80,000 residents is a distortion. Muskoka has a huge seasonal population of
250,000 in south Muskoka alone. The population is only expected to grow.
Cutting hospital beds in South Muskoka is reckless policy. Don’t expect us to be ‘conciliatory’ when our very lives are at stake.
MPP’ Smith’s statement is an unfair and misleading attack when he claims that there are groups out there using the hospital issue for ‘partisan gain’ or to ‘further their own goals or air their grievances against the provincial government.’
Fact is the MAHC has stated that there is only funding for one acute care hospital from the province. If this is not the case then MPP Smith should release the documents that show otherwise. His statements to the contrary are just cheap words before an expected early provincial election where he knows he is in deep trouble. To accuse those who are fighting to keep the Bracebridge hospital as in effect using this for political gain is an affront to the thousands who came in to object to the current plan of one acute care hospital in Huntsville.
Thanks Graydon. Without your intervention I firmly believe MAHC would have pushed ahead with their plan. I do ask however is there a way you can change the way our hospital board is selected? Boards of this importance should be made up of representatives elected from the communities they serve.