Premier Doug Ford criticized Whitby’s mayor, Elizabeth Roy, and questioned the legitimacy of the town’s community advocacy campaign for a new hospital in Whitby. Ford was critical of the town offering raffle prizes to residents who participate in a survey to raise awareness and support for the new hospital. Roy responded by expressing surprise at the comments and clarified that the prizes were paid for in kind and politicians did not have access to the emails of participants. The town’s chief administrative officer, Matt Gaskell, called Ford’s comments inaccurate and disrespectful, emphasizing the importance of the campaign in engaging and educating the community.
The Care Closer To Home campaign in Whitby was launched on Feb. 7 with the goal of advocating for a new hospital in the town. Despite being chosen as the preferred site for the new hospital in Durham Region two years ago, Whitby has been waiting for a $3-million planning grant from the province to move forward with the project. Roy expressed frustration over the lack of inclusion of the planning grant in the 2024 provincial budget and highlighted the need for residents to understand the importance of the grant in advancing the new hospital. The campaign garnered support from almost 4,000 residents who shared personal stories about the necessity of the new hospital.
In response to Ford’s criticism, Roy stated that the next steps for the town will involve raising awareness for the new hospital by placing orange hearts in municipal facilities. Despite the tension, Ford reiterated his commitment to building a hospital in Durham and assured residents that a site would be chosen. Roy mentioned that she plans to reach out to the premier and local MPPs to further advocate for the planning grant and move the project forward. The town’s efforts to continue the push for a new hospital in Whitby are ongoing, despite the challenges they face.
The comments made by Premier Ford about the Whitby mayor and the community advocacy campaign stirred controversy and highlighted the ongoing efforts to secure funding for a new hospital in the town. Roy’s response to Ford’s criticism emphasized the town’s dedication to engaging and educating the community about the importance of the new hospital. The campaign, which received support from thousands of residents, aims to keep the conversation alive and ensure that the need for the planning grant does not go unnoticed. Despite the challenges they face, the town remains committed to advocating for a new hospital in Whitby and working towards securing the necessary funding from the province.
The dispute between Premier Ford and Whitby Mayor Roy regarding the community advocacy campaign for a new hospital in Whitby has brought attention to the ongoing efforts to secure funding for the project. Roy’s efforts to engage residents and raise awareness about the importance of the new hospital have garnered significant support from the community. The town continues to push for the planning grant needed to move forward with the project, despite facing delays and challenges. Roy’s determination to reach out to provincial leaders and continue advocating for the new hospital demonstrates her commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure in Whitby and ensuring that residents have access to essential services. The controversy surrounding the campaign highlights the importance of community engagement and advocacy in advancing healthcare initiatives at the local level.
