Public provides Council with valuable input on hospital funding
Council heard from 18 delegates on Wednesday night who came to Town Hall to express their views on the town's contribution toward funding a new hospital in Oakville. Delegates included residents, hospital staff and a representative from the provincial government's Infrastructure Ontario (IO), which oversees hospital construction. Mayor Burton asked the representative from IO if Members of Council could have access to the uses and sources of the Local Share Plan, under a non disclosure agreement if necessary, and the IO representative agreed. The lack of access to financial information has caused concern among councillors and residents. Due to the number of delegations registered to speak about the town's contribution to the hospital, Monday night's Council meeting was carried over to Wednesday. Council heard from six delegates on Monday and two on Thursday afternoon. At Monday's meeting, Council heard from town staff and Pollara Strategic Insights about the town's public consultation process regarding funding for the new hospital. Staff and Pollara noted that while residents want a new hospital and support some level of municipal funding, the community is polarized on the amount that should be given. A phone survey conducted by Pollara tested a funding level of about $140 per year. Council has until April 24 to make a decision on a funding contribution and has set the April 19 council meeting for the decision. To read more about Monday's Council meeting, visit the town's news release.
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