Press Releases

VIDEO: Legislature Supports Hospital Planning in Simcoe-Grey

November 23, 2020 – The Ontario Legislature has voted unanimously to support planning for hospital redevelopments in Collingwood and Alliston.

In his latest effort to keep the issue on the Legislative agenda, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson introduced a Private Member's Resolution asking the Government to support planning work for construction of a new Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and redevelopment of Stevenson Memorial in Alliston

"I'm extremely encouraged by this endorsement," said Mr. Wilson. "And I'd like to thank all of my colleagues on both sides of the House who spoke in favour of addressing the health care needs of my constituents."

Wilson's resolution echoes appeals by community leaders and citizens that the planned expansion of Stevenson, and the proposed re-build of the General and Marine on a new greenfield site, move ahead.

"Our fight doesn't end here," said Wilson. "But we have to keep the pressure on, if our region is to receive the standard of health care all Ontarians expect and deserve, now and in the future," he added.

Both the Alliston and Collingwood hospitals are severely dated and struggling to meet the needs of patients, visitors and staff. The proposed redevelopment projects are essential to meeting current needs and planned future growth in Simcoe-Grey.

MPP Wilson continues to encourage Simcoe-Grey residents to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," he says.

You can watch Wilson's remarks, and Member responses, here: 

CF Patients Still Waiting for Life-saving Drugs

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson recently wrote the Prime Minister, Canadian Premiers and Health Ministers asking them to expedite negotiations for a price on life-saving drugs for people living with Cystic Fibrosis.

While gene-modulating treatments are available, and are paid for in at least 20 other countries, Canada has yet to sign a deal with Vertex, the pharmaceutical firm which manufactures them.

Reporter Sam Odrowski has published an update on the issue in the New Tecumseth Times. Read it here: MPP calls on Feds to speed up Cystic Fibrosis drug

You can also read my letter to Federal and Provincial leaders here: 

Minister: Wait Until Spring for Staycation Tax Credit Details

November 20, 2020 - Ontario's Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture says the Government will soon be announcing capacity levels for ski hills operating in the province this winter. Responding in the Legislature to questions from Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson, Lisa MacLeod said her ministry is working with Health officials to finalize details.

The Minister also advised Wilson that details of the $150-million Ontario Staycation tax incentive announced in the November 5th budget won't be rolled out until the spring. She says the Government is working with tourism organizations on implementing the program which will offer a 20-percent tax rebate to Ontarians who vacation in the province. The Ford government is also encouraging Ottawa to develop a similar program.

"At the moment we are not encouraging people to go on staycations," said Minister MacLeod. "We want to encourage people to travel only when it is safe to do so," she added.

You can watch Wilson's exchange with Minister MacLeod here: 

News Release - Wilson Hospital Resolution to be Debated

November 17, 2020 – Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is pressing forward with his fight for hospital redevelopment in the riding. Wilson has served notice in the Ontario Legislature that he will be introducing a Private Member's Resolution next week urging the Government to continue supporting planning work for the redevelopments and construction of both the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston.

"These proposed hospital projects are among the most pressing issues in our region," says Mr. Wilson. "And they fit with the Government's commitments to modernize the health care system and end hallway health care."

Stevenson Memorial was built in 1964. The General and Marine is 10 years older. Both facilities are severely dated and struggling to meet the needs of patients, visitors and staff.

MPP Wilson will once again remind his colleagues in the Legislature that the proposed redevelopment projects are essential to meeting current needs and planned future growth in Simcoe-Grey.

"My constituents are entitled to the same level of patient care and safety that all Ontarians expect and deserve," he will say.

Wilson's resolution is expected to be debated in the Legislature on Monday.

You can watch the debate live on Monday at 9:00 a.m.: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/video

Also, read John Edwards' latest story on Simcoe.com: https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/10270523--the-need-is-there-now-mpp-jim-wilson-pressures-province-to-open-purse-strings-for-new-hospitals-in-alliston-collingwood/

VIDEO - MPP Wilson Presses for New Alliston High School

November 16, 2020 – Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson has again taken the case to Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce for a new Banting Memorial High School in Alliston. The current 70-year old building has been at, or near the top of, the Simcoe County Board of Education capital priority list since 2015.

"Structurally, the building is beyond repair," said Mr. Wilson, who attended the school as a youth. "It would require major mechanical and electrical upgrades. It is full of asbestos," he added.

Banting's state of repair had been slated for assessment this year, but that didn't happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MPP Wilson invited Minister Lecce to visit the school, to see its deficiencies for himself, in hopes that a replacement will be on the list when the next list of new school construction is announced in Ontario.

You can watch Wilson's exchange with the Minister here:

VIDEO: Ontario Education Minister to move on New Tecumseth School

November 5, 2020 – Ontario’s Minister of Education is committed to moving forward with a new Separate school for the Treetops subdivision in New Tecumseth.

It’s been more than two-and-a-half years since the province approved the plan, but the Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic School Board is still waiting for a green light to tender the project.

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson questioned Education Minister Stephen Lecce about the delays.

“Parents, students, staff and Trustees are beyond frustrated,” said Mr. Wilson. “COVID-19 has only heightened their exasperation.”  

“Will the Minister put an end to these delays?” Wilson asked Mr. Lecce. “Will he review this sorry situation and see that the necessary Approval to Proceed to tender is finalized?”

See Wilson’s question and the Minister’s commitment here:

Reader's Choice 2020 Best Local Politician

Best Local Politician

Thank you Simcoe.com  Collingwood/ the Blue Mountains Connection and Stayner/ Wasaga Beach Sun readers for your votes and continued, support, trust and confidence. I have been proud to represent your interests at Queen's Park for more than 30 years.

Join me in ramping up our fight for a new greenfield hospital in Collingwood and a redeveloped hospital in Alliston. We need and deserve modern state-of-the-art medical facilities to meet the current and future needs of our fast-growing region.

You can help by emailing Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jim Wilson, MPP Simcoe-Grey

VIDEO: Wilson congratulates Milan Kroupa on RCAFA NORAD Trophy

Simcoe-Grey is home to a top-notch airfield and a world-class aeronautics attraction.  The credit goes to Milan Kroupa who recognized the potential of the former World War 2 training facility at Edenvale.

Mr. Kroupa was recently awarded the prestigious Royal Canadian Air Force Association NORAD Trophy, recognizing his significant contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of Canada’s rich aviation history, values and traditions.

The Czech immigrant, and successful businessman, purchased the property more than 15 years ago and has been quietly expanding and refurbishing it into a modern facility enjoyed by aviators and their planes from around the region and across the country.  It has also become home to the assets of the Canadian Air and Space Museum, including a full-sized replica of the famous Avro Arrow.

I was pleased to stand in the Legislature to tell my colleagues about Edenvale and about Mr. Kroupa’s achievements. 

Watch the video here:

VIDEO: Time to Regulate Commercial Insurance

October 22, 2020 - Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson has taken the plight of Ontario Condominium Corporations to the legislature. Wilson is asking the Government if the time has come to regulate the commercial insurance industry.

“I hear regularly from constituents about out-of-control premium increases being demanded by insurance companies and, in some instances, outright refusal to renew contracts with condominium corporations that have had few or no claims!” said Mr. Wilson.

Citing the Green Briar and Briar Hills communities in Alliston, Wilson told Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips they saw premiums double in 2019, and then double again in 2020. Now, as a new year approaches, said the MPP, the condo owners, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes, face another potential doubling of their rates, if they can get insurance at all.

“Is regulation needed now to end the insanity of skyrocketing insurance premiums being experienced by condominium corporations across the province?”, asks Mr. Wilson.

You can watch his exchange with Minister Phillips here: 

MPP Wilson asks for letters in support of new hospital

Our hospitals in Simcoe-Grey, and the dedicated people who work in them, have served us well.  But the hospital buildings in Collingwood and Alliston are more than 60 years old.  It’s time for us to tell the decision-makers in government that we need and deserve hospital re-development in our communities.

South Georgian Bay is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the province and our population is aging.  27% of our residents are 65 or older, compared to just 17% province-wide; 11% are older than 75 years.

COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need for modern programs and more efficient service delivery.  This can’t happen within our current aging facilities.

Even before the pandemic dialysis patients at Collingwood General and Marine were being treated in closets.  Management offices are located in trailers.  Family conferences are held in crowded hallways packed with equipment.  Staff don’t even have changing rooms!

In Alliston, it’s bad enough that people are working in trailers and in the basement.  A broken water valve, just when COVID hit, resulted in $650-thousand in damage. 

It’s time for the people in our riding to tell the government that we need and deserve hospital re-development in Collingwood and Alliston. 

Read the latest CollingwoodToday.ca story about our fight to urge the government to do the right thing by moving forward with proposals to bring hospitals in Simcoe-Grey up to modern standards.  You can help by emailing the decision-makers directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/local-news/mpp-wilson-asks-constituents-to-write-letters-in-support-of-new-hospital-2767159