Local MPPs fight to keep Restorative Care Unit open in Chesley

"This program helps so many in our community and directly falls in line with the ministry's mandate to keep patients at home for as long as possible," says Thompson. "It is shameful that the government won't commit the funding necessary to ensure it stays open."

"This government can find billions of dollars for boondoggles, but no money to fund health care in our ridings," adds Walker. "To us, this is unacceptable."

Constituents found out last fall they were losing the funding for the unit. After raising the issue at Queen's Park, Thompson and Walker lobbied actively to keep this critical service going. The unit has provided care to 300 patients, mostly senior citizens.

"We've had months of uncertainty and remain unsatisfied with the government's decision to forgo this critical service," Thompson said. "Our priority continues to be that access to front-line services is not interrupted. It's regrettable that this government doesn't see eye-to-eye with us when it comes to health care services."

Walker also recently pursued Hoskins over his decision to cut $54-million from health care at a time when local hospitals face budgetary restraints and cuts to services. Base operating funding for Ontario's 150 hospitals continues to be frozen for the fourth consecutive year.

"The minister has the ability to find the money and make the Restorative Care Unit a reality, just as he found money to bail out Liberal messes, such as SAMS (Social Assistance Management System)," Walker said. "This is really his issue, not the local hospital board volunteers or administration. We expect he will show leadership and make the health of people his priority."