Ontario Investing $125 Million in Hospital Repairs and Upgrades
Ontario is providing approximately $125 million in 2015-16 to hospitals across the province to renew critical infrastructure, helping to ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care in a safe and healthy environment.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement today at Toronto East General Hospital, which will receive approximately $1.7 million in 2015-16 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF). Across Ontario, 128 hospitals will receive HIRF grants to support crucial infrastructure projects to extend the useful life or improve the quality of their facilities. Projects will include:
• Structural upgrades such as roof replacements and new windows
• Upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Improvements such as upgrading back-up generators
• Upgraded fire alarm systems and other work needed to address requirements under the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code.
In the 2015 Budget, the government committed to providing more than $11 billion in hospital capital grants over 10 years, including grants administered through the HIRF. This funding is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history -- more than $130 billion over 10 years. This investment is helping connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities across the province.
Upgrading health-care infrastructure is part of the government's plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
QUOTES
" Hospitals need to keep their facilities in a state of good repair so they can continue to provide high-quality health care. That is why our government has more than doubled the funding for crucial infrastructure repairs and upgrades at hospitals across Ontario. Investments like this are part of our commitment to putting patients first."
- Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
" Through this investment in hospital infrastructure, we are ensuring that patients have access to care in spaces that are safe, healthy and comfortable. These projects make a real, positive difference in the healing environment, complementing the high-quality care patients receive in Ontario hospitals."
- Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
QUICK FACTS
• In 2014–15, the Ontario government increased the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to approximately $125 million — more than doubling its investment from approximately $56 million the year before. It has maintained the fund at approximately $125 million in 2015–16.
• Modernizing infrastructure will support more than 110,000 jobs a year on average in construction and related industries.
• A Conference Board of Canada report estimated that Ontario’s public infrastructure investment would add more than $1,000 to the average annual income of Ontarians in 2014 and lower the unemployment rate by about one percentage point.
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Adam Austen 8/19/2015 |
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