Grant also approved for new hospital plans, Ford says during visit to city
The Brant Community Healthcare System is getting a much-needed $21 million to fix infrastructure problems at Brantford General Hospital.
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Premier Doug Ford announced the funding during a visit to Brantford on Thursday. He was in the city to attend Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma’s annual barbecue, which was held at Anderson Park in West Brant.
Further details about the $21-million infusion are expected to be announced next week. But it is known that the hospital has been dealing with boiler problems and a sinkhole in a utility tunnel.
The first also announced the healthcare system would be receiving a planning grant to help move forward the healthcare system’s efforts to have a new hospital built in Brantford.
Healthcare system officials, who were among the hundreds of people to attend the event and hear the first speak, were delighted with the news.
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“This is a very exciting day for Brantford, Brant County and the region,” Paul Emerson, a member of the healthcare system’s redevelopment committee, said. “Our plans to build a new hospital took a large step forward today.”
During his speech, Ford invited Bonnie Camm, president and CEO of the healthcare system, to join him at the podium.
“Bonnie is a real champion, she takes care of people, you couldn’t ask for a better CEO of a hospital,” Ford said. “I’m not sure what needed to be fixed, but Bonnie sure did and we’re going to get that fixed.
“We’re going to take care of that issue.”
Ford spoke about the $21 million in funding for the repair work while welcoming Camm to the podium.
“Not only are you going to get that $21 million but you’re also going to get that planning grant,” Ford said. “We’re going to make sure that happens.”
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The first then thanked Camm for her hard work and dedication.
Camm said it was an honor and a privilege to be at the barbecue and hear the news from the first.
Emerson said it has taken a lot of work by a lot of people including the mayors and Bouma, to get the new hospital initiative this far.
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, who also attended the barbecue, said it was “very promising” that the first brought Camm onto the speaker’s podium and included her in his remarks.
Bouma told the crowd that he and the first share a vision for the community and how it can grow.
“How we can have jobs, how we can have all of the things that people need,” Bouma said. “By having a close relationship, we’ve been able to get so much done for this community.”
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Work on a new hospital plan is underway and a new high school – St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School – is being built, Bouma said.
“We’re so excited about the partnership that we have with the Catholic school board and seeing construction on the new school getting underway,” Bouma said.
“We’re also getting a new Lansdowne Children’s Centre,” Bouma said, which drew an enthusiastic round of applause from the crowd.
Bouma said he and his wife Joni visited Anderson Park a month ago and decided it would be perfect for his barbecue.
“It’s such a beautiful spot,” Bouma said.
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