Press Releases

(VIDEO) Wilson pleased local hospital redevelopments moving forward

(November 5, 2019) Yesterday, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson took to the Ontario Legislature to ask the Health Minister again about the status of the Collingwood General and Marine and Stevenson Memorial Hospitals redevelopments. Wilson was very pleased with the response he received.

“Minister, since I last asked you about the redevelopments of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston, nothing much appears to have happened … will you please give that political direction today so that we can move forward with these redevelopments?” said Wilson.

The Minister spoke about the status of both projects. She explained that she hoped to have more news about the Collingwood Hospital’s Stage 1 submission shortly and that she expects to provide the Alliston Hospital with approval of their Stage 1 master plan in the coming days.

Wilson thought this was terrific news and went on to thank the Minister. He also asked if she would tour the facilities. To which the Health Minister agreed. 

You can read the full text of the question below:

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, since I last asked you about the redevelopments of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston, nothing much appears to have happened. The hospitals feel that they’re no further ahead than they were during the 15 years under the Liberals.

The hospitals were told by health ministry bureaucrats to keep planning for their redevelopments but at their own expense and with no approvals in sight. In fact, these same bureaucrats tell the hospitals that they are waiting for political direction. So, Minister, will you please give that political direction today so that we can move forward with these redevelopments?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member very much for the question.

We have been working both with respect to Stevenson and Collingwood at the Ministry of Health. With respect to Collingwood, we have been working closely with the Collingwood hospital team to review their proposed ...

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(Hon. Christine Elliott)

… and Collingwood at the Ministry of Health. With respect to Collingwood, we have been working closely with the Collingwood hospital team to review their proposed hospital redevelopment project. We are committed to making investments in this area because I know they’re very important to the people within your riding. The ministry has provided Collingwood with a $500,000 planning grant to support planning in 2018-19. We are continuing to work with the hospital on the stage one submission and hope to have some more particular news very shortly.

With respect to Stevenson, we are, again, working closely with Stevenson on their project as well. The project is going to expand the emergency department and make key updates to in-patient, surgical and diagnostic services. We expect to provide the hospital with approval of their stage one master plan in the coming days.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question.

Mr. Jim Wilson: Back to the minister: That’s great news. Thank you, Minister, for the answer. I just want you to know that it pains me to ask these questions because I like you so much.

The last time I did ask in this House about the two hospitals, you also mentioned that perhaps you would like to tour or you might tour each of the hospitals. I was just wondering if that offer still stands. It would be great for morale and great to help move the redevelopments forward. Will you please tour the hospitals?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Yes, I would be very happy to. Thank you. I appreciate the offer. I know these hospitals are very important to you and to the people in your communities, and that they are anxious to see things move forward. I know for all of us, some of these projects seem to take a lot longer to get started than any of us would want, but that is the approval process that is in place within the ministry. That said, we do hope to be able to provide approvals to move forward very shortly in the coming days. I would like to give you a particular date, but I can say that that is coming very soon. I hope to be able to tour both hospitals with you very soon. Thank you.

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(VIDEO) Wilson asks government to fund cystic fibrosis medication

(November 1, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is calling on the Ontario government to fund life-saving medication for children with cystic fibrosis, including two young boys from Tottenham.

In the Ontario Legislature yesterday, Wilson read aloud a letter he received from the boys’ mother Sasha Haughian. He urged the government to act immediately to help children in need by approving lifesaving cystic fibrosis medications that are available and funded in most other parts of the world. 

Wilson also reminded the government that five years ago he raised the exact same issue on behalf of his constituent Madi Vanstone who at the time was 12-years-old. While the medication Madi needed was eventually funded for her, the root of the problem was never addressed.

Wilson says that in the long run the government needs to develop a rare drug strategy to fix the problem.

You can read the full text of Wilson’s statement below:

Ontario Hansard - 31-October2019

Mr. Jim Wilson: I’d like to read an important email I received this week from my constituent Sasha Haughian from Tottenham. I’ve been working with Sasha and her husband, Jamie Larocque, for over a year concerning coverage for cystic fibrosis medications for their two young sons.

Sasha’s letter reads:

“Hello again Jim,

“This was a big week for the CF community around the world.” But “unfortunately, we are getting left farther and farther behind.

“The FDA announced the approval of a new triple therapy gene modulator this week.... I can’t describe how left out so many of us Canadians feel, knowing we are still fighting for Orkambi, which is now becoming ancient to the rest of the world.

“As well, England (one of the countries the Ministry of Health always compares us to when defending their stance on Orkambi) just signed a deal with Vertex and are providing public access for all gene modulators as well as future therapies. We are now officially one of the only developed countries in the world to not provide these medications to our patients.

“Why our children are suffering when the rest of the world is celebrating is just incomprehensible, especially with a government that wants to end hallway medicine and save money. CF patients are literally taking up hospital beds and needing costly procedures when there is a medication that could prevent that.”

Mr. Speaker, as you know, this is the exact same issue I raised in this Legislature five years ago on behalf of another constituent, Madi Vanstone. While the medication Madi needed was eventually funded for her, the root of the problem was never addressed. Five years later, here we are again. Ontario needs to develop a rare drug strategy to fix this issue, and in the meantime Ontario needs to help those in need now by negotiating with drug companies like Vertex for these life-saving cystic fibrosis drugs.

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Jim meets with Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County

(October 24, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson was pleased to meet with Michelle Bergin, Michele Lawson and Oliver Stone from Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County yesterday. The organization offers professional counselling, psychotherapy and education services to residents living or working in the Simcoe Muskoka region. Their walk-in counselling clinic provides free single session counselling for individuals, couples and families to help deal with a variety of issues including: depression, anxiety, couple conflict, family relationship issues, stress, anger management, alcohol and drug use and parenting. More information about their services can be found on their website www.cfssc.ca .

Jim visits with Grade 5 students at New Lowell Central Public School

 (October 23, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson visited with Grade 5 students at New Lowell Central Public School on October 22.

Wilson stopped by the school as part of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Outreach Program to speak about his role as MPP for Simcoe-Grey and answer questions from students. A total of 30 students participated in the program.

"I want to thank the teacher Douglas Battaglia for inviting me to speak to the class," said Wilson. "The students were very impressive and asked great questions."

Wilson encouraged students to get involved with student government and to consider applying to the Ontario Page Program. He said his interest in government began after receiving a similar visit from his predecessor George McCague.

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Wilson pleased to celebrate the completion of Highway 26 Realignment Project

(October 11, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is pleased to celebrate the completion of all phases of the Highway 26 Realignment Project in Collingwood.  The improved highway will not only allow for a smoother flow of traffic, but will create almost 100 new jobs in that area of the community. Jim is also very happy that residents of Bay Haven Nursing Home finally have an accessible sidewalk. The province spent $30 million on the Highway 26 Realignment between Stayner and Collingwood, and an additional $7.4 million on the final phase.

The final phase of the project included: widening Highway 26 to five lanes with a median shared turning lane, reconstruction of the intersection of Highway 26 and Hume Street/Pretty River Parkway, closure of 6th Line at Highway 26 with a cul-de-sac and connecting it to Highway 26 via an extension of Sir Sandford Fleming Drive and construction of a recreational trail on the north side and a sidewalk on the south side of the highway between Pretty River Parkway and Marine View Drive.

The construction of the Highway 26 Realignment began in 2003 under the Progressive Conservative government at the time in response to safety and traffic concerns.  The project was delayed without explanation in the summer of 2004 when the Dalton McGuinty Liberals pulled construction crews off the site mere months after winning the election. Over the next ten years, Wilson raised the issue in the Ontario Legislature more than 50 times, wrote countless letters and launched a petition. By 2013, the second phase of the highway realignment was complete, but the final phase was again put on hold. After winning government in 2018, Wilson once again made finishing the highway a priority. 

Wilson tours Georgian Bay General Hospital

(October 10, 2019) I would like to thank Gail Hunt, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) President & CEO and Patrick McNamara, GBGH Board Chair for a tour of the hospital this week. It's not uncommon for Simcoe-Grey residents to use the Midland hospital, and it was great to see the facility since its redevelopment in 2014. The new build looks great and I congratulate the team at the hospital on a job well done.

Sobeys Collingwood Receives Foodland Ontario Retailer Award for Local Food Promotion

(October 9, 2019) Today, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson recognized Samir Omari, Store Manager, and Darlene Ferguson, Produce Manager and the Sobeys Collingwood team on behalf of Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, for their outstanding commitment to Ontario's local food industry by presenting them with a Platinum Award for their display and promotion of Ontario local food.

"As we celebrate Ontario Agriculture this week, I am thrilled to be recognizing Sobeys Collingwood with a 2018 Foodland Ontario Retailer Award," said Wilson. "This acknowledgement is a tribute to the store's strong relationship with local growers and offering fresh, home-grown foods to the many customers they serve. As MPP for Simcoe-Grey, I proudly thank Sobeys Collingwood for their support of local growers, local jobs and our local agricultural community."

The annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are the produce industry's premier competition for excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods. Retailers enter seasonal display contests which run from mid-April to November. In 2018, over 4,250 entries were submitted with almost 6,000 photos of compelling displays featuring fresh Ontario produce.

"Congratulations Sobeys Collingwood for creating award-winning displays that showcase Ontario's fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables," said Minister Hardeman. "Thank you for taking pride in building creative and innovative displays that encourage shoppers to take home the good things that grow in Ontario."

Ontario is home to almost 46,900 farms that grow more than 200 agricultural commodities. Ontario's agri-food sector supports more than 837,000 jobs in our province and contributes more than $47.5 billion each year to the province's economy.

Quick Facts

* For a list of the 2018 Retailer Award winners, visit Foodland Ontario's website.

* Ontario has one of the most diverse agri-food industries in Canada, producing more than 200 commodities, such as greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, asparagus, berries, tender fruit, and apples.

* For more than 40 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods.

* To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario's Availability Guide.

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Wilson congratulates Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation on launch of their capital campaign for the Hospital’s redevelopment

 (October 1, 2019) Today, the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation launched their “Because of you, we can” capital campaign to begin fundraising efforts for the redevelopment of Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston.

The project includes a revitalization of the hospital’s Emergency Department, doubling the square footage of the hospital and tripling the amount of parking space along with a refresh of outpatient rooms, birthing suites and laboratory space.

“I’m thrilled for Stevenson Memorial Hospital and our community as they launch this $43 million capital campaign for the new hospital,” said Wilson. “I remain grateful to Health Minister Christine Elliott and Premier Doug Ford for their support so far and for making both of our local hospital projects in Simcoe-Grey a priority of the Ontario Government.”

“The fact the hospital foundation has already raised $20 million, or 50 percent of the community share that is needed for this project is outstanding and it shows the real support we have in the community,” continued Wilson. “I want to thank the County of Simcoe, Honda Canada, the Nottawasaga Foundation and the many others who have already pledged donations and made their support known early.”

“I also want to emphasize the importance of community involvement at this stage and urge local residents to continue to do what they can to demonstrate to the Ontario Government that we stand firmly behind our local hospitals redevelopments. This includes writing letters and emails to the government, along with helping to fundraise. We need to show politicians at Queen’s Park that our communities are fully supportive of these projects,” continued Wilson.

Wilson sent another letter to the Premier today to let him know about the hospital’s fundraising campaign launch and to ask when they can expect to get shovels in the ground. To read Wilson’s letter, CLICK HERE.

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Jim attends Beeton Fall Fair opening ceremony

(September 14, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson was pleased to attend the Beeton Fall Fair opening ceremony last night. Wilson wished a special congratulations to New Tecumseth Councillor Donna Jebb for winning first prize for her chili.

Jim attends 90th Anniversary of the Angus Horticultural Society

(September 24, 2019) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson had a great time celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Angus Horticultural Society over the weekend. Wilson was pleased to thank the membership for all the good work they do toward the beautification of the community. It's because of their efforts that both residents and visitors can enjoy the beauty the community has to offer.