Council voted to further explore supplying $17.8-million to the South Niagara hospital, part of the 3-hospital plan
A near unanimous vote at Welland city council to explore providing Niagara Health with $17.8-million for the South Niagara hospital.
Niagara Health has already received $30-million from Niagara Falls, and is waiting to discuss $2.2-million from Wainfleet. Other Niagara municipalities have already contributed, or are in discussion.
Councilllor Graham Speck voted against, pointing to at least a $20-million a year backlog in road and sewer repair. "Certainly health care is vital, but the issue I have is with how these are being downloaded to municipalities, that it is come from what used to be solely funded from provincial revenues."
Part of the investment includes renovating the Welland hospital.
Niagara Health explained renovation of Welland hospital would be stalled if a no answer.
President Lynn Guerriero pointed to provincial funding. "We have to have funding from the government to move forward with renovations, and move forward with redevelopment, so 2 phases. I think the government will be more reluctant to fund us if we have not been unable to fulfill the obligation for the local share."
Niagara Health gave an overall view of its 3-hospital plan.
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