Premier Doug Ford criticized Whitby’s mayor, Elizabeth Roy, for offering raffle prizes to residents in exchange for taking a survey to support the new hospital in Whitby. Ford questioned the legitimacy of the town’s community advocacy campaign, suggesting that politicians should not be allowed to offer gifts for email addresses. Despite this, Roy denied that politicians had access to the emails and insisted that the campaign was aimed at educating and engaging the community. The town’s chief administrative officer also defended the campaign, stating that offering prizes to drive participation is a standard practice used by many municipalities.
Roy expressed surprise and disappointment at Ford’s comments, especially regarding the purpose of the Care Closer To Home campaign. The mayor clarified that the campaign’s goal was to raise awareness and support for the new hospital in Whitby, particularly in light of the town not receiving a $3-million planning grant in the provincial budget. Roy emphasized the importance of the planning grant for moving forward with the hospital project and noted the overwhelming response from almost 4,000 residents who signed a call-to-action letter and shared personal stories. Despite the criticism, Roy remains committed to advocating for the new hospital and plans to reach out to the premier and local MPPs for support.
The tension between Ford and Roy stems from the town’s efforts to secure a planning grant for the proposed hospital in Durham Region. The town was selected as the preferred site for the hospital two years ago, but without the planning grant from the province, the project has been stalled. Despite the challenges, Roy remains confident in the community’s support and the necessity of the new hospital. The town’s continued advocacy includes papering municipal facilities with orange hearts to raise awareness and maintain momentum for the new build.
Ford assured residents of Durham Region that they would be getting a new hospital and emphasized his commitment to choosing a suitable site. While acknowledging the frustration over the lack of progress on the planning grant, Ford reiterated his dedication to fulfilling the community’s need for a new hospital. The ongoing dialogue between Ford and Roy reflects the complexities of healthcare infrastructure development and the challenges of securing necessary funding and support for vital projects like the new hospital in Whitby.
Despite the criticism and challenges faced during the advocacy campaign, Roy remains determined to push forward with the new hospital project in Whitby. The mayor’s commitment to engaging with the premier and local representatives underscores the importance of community advocacy and collaboration in securing essential healthcare resources. As the town continues to raise awareness and garner support for the hospital, the collaboration between government officials and community leaders will be crucial in addressing the healthcare needs of residents in Durham Region. The ongoing advocacy efforts aim to ensure that the town’s vision of Care Closer To Home becomes a reality for the benefit of all those in the region.
