Government's Investment Will Help to Improve Health Care Services

TORONTO-Infrastructure Ontario and the hospital received bids yesterday from building teams to build and finance the next phase of the capital redevelopment project at St. Joseph's Health Care, London.  The renovation project at St. Joseph's Hospital will increase the efficiency of hospital operations and support increasing demand for ambulatory care, day surgery, short-stay programs and prompt care services.   

“This is one of many projects being delivered under the McGuinty government's five-year $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan to renew and modernize infrastructure,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. “The plan is providing a solid foundation for economic growth as we renew and rebuild hospitals, schools, and other vital public infrastructure.” 

“We're on the side of Ontario families who want and deserve the very best health care," said George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "That's why our investment in hospitals and health care will grow by an additional $1.9 billion to $35.4 billion this year, rising to $38.8 billion in the following year.”

The Request for Proposals to build and finance the St. Joseph Health Care project was issued on August 1, 2006.

The contractors' bids will be evaluated over the next few months and the winner will be named in March 2007. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly after.   

“The bid submissions mark another important milestone for St. Joseph's Health Care,” said London North Centre MPP Deb Matthews. “Our local hospital redevelopment project is yet another example of the McGuinty government's commitment to building a health care system that focuses on keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and improving access to doctors and nurses.”

“We're very pleased with the progress that is being made and it's exciting to know that we're one step closer to completing our redevelopment project,” said President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Cliff Nordal.

St. Joseph's Health Care will manage this project with Infrastructure Ontario, a Crown corporation dedicated to the renewal of the province's hospitals, courthouses and other essential public assets.  Ensuring appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses alternative financing and procurement to rebuild vital infrastructure, on time and on budget. 

All infrastructure projects are guided by the principles in the government's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, ensuring public ownership of core public assets such as hospitals, schools and water and wastewater infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Contacts: 

Amy Tang 
Minister's Office
Public Infrastructure Renewal 
416-325-4048 

Jennifer Sclisizzi 
 Infrastructure Ontario 
416-325-7409

Linda Whitmore 
St. Joseph's Health Care London 
519-646-6100, Ext. 65294 

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