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3 · Friday, March 26, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Council has the power to direct funds to hospital Continued from page 1 "I have to have the support of at least seven members (of council) and I don't." Halton Healthcare Services has asked the Town of Oakville to donate approximately $200 million to the hospital corporation to help build and equip the new Oakville hospital, scheduled to be constructed between 2011 and 2015 at Dundas Street and Third Line. Under Provincial hospital construction funding rules, HHS must contribute about $530 million as its local share toward the estimated $1.5-billion hospital. Those figures are estimated budgets, however, as actual costs won't be known until the Province receives final bids from contractors hoping to build the hospital. The Province's Infrastructure Ontario agency requires HHS's commitment that it can cover its local share before it even starts the competitive bidding process. If HHS finds the money, Infrastructure Ontario is expected to go to tender for the Oakville hospital in late spring, a process that generally lasts six months as selected bidders prepare MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Councillor Jeff Knoll and submit their proposals. To cover its local share, HHS plans to fundraise $60 million and will contribute $270 million of its own money through future revenues but is asking for the Town to make up the difference. Oakville's council is scheduled to make a decision on whether it will provide municipal money, and up to how much, to HHS on April 19, following public meetings on the issue April 6 and 19. The Town has released sample sce- PAY OUT: Oakville Hydro will receive $130 million from Rogers Communications' purchase of Blink. narios of how it could cover the $200 million through property taxes over an extended period. But Knoll believes the public should know how much money from the Blink sale could be used for the hospital, thereby mitigating potential taxes, before the April 19 public meeting. Gary Burkett, the chairman of the board of directors of Oakville Hydro, said the corporation has to use Rogers' money to pay off any possible debt Blink owes, as well as one-time costs related to the transaction. "We don't have that exact number (net profit) yet," Burkett said. Burkett said the corporation always maintains a list of projects it would like to undertake, which might also require money. They include green energy projects and possibly expanding the methane-gas capture facility it operates at Halton's landfill. Perhaps the corporation's largest project is the district energy centre it plans to build northeast of the new hospital on an 8-acre site it bought from the Province for $2.5 million in Mayor Rob Burton December. Oakville Hydro plans to build a 9.6-megawatt natural gasfired power plant to provide fuel for the district energy centre, which will then use pipes to provide thermal energy (heating, cooling and hot water) and emergency backup electricity to the hospital and the employment district slated for the surrounding area. The corporation doesn't have an estimate as to how much that project will cost or how it will be paid for, said See Cash page 11 Panel discussion on hospital Residents who have questions to ask or statements to make about Halton Healthcare Service's request for $200 million from the Town of Oakville to help build the new Oakville Hospital now have one additional opportunity to make their voices heard. On Thursday, April 8, the residents' group Concerned Citizens of Oakville and Halton for Community Health Care will be holding a panel discussion on the issue at Galaxy Hall, located at 475 North Service Rd., East. The group has invited representatives from Halton Health Care Services, the Mississauga Halton LHIN, the Oakville Health Coalition, local MPPs and MPs, members of council and the mayor, the Minister of Heath and health critics from other parties to make up this panel. John Kay, one of the principal organizers of the presentation and a municipal candidate for the Ward 3 Town and Regional council seat, said he is hoping to provide residents with a less intimidating forum from which to make their opinions on the hospital funding issue known. "We're opening it up and thinking this is a different avenue that might attract people who are not comfortable in the formal council chamber-type atmosphere," said Kay. "People who haven't spoken about this already or who might not feel comfortable in a council chamber filled with yellow `I support the hospital' buttons." Kay has raised questions about the public consultation the Town has undertaken so far, calling Pollara Strategic Insights, the company the Town used to gather public opinion on the hospital issue, an opinion shaping company rather than a public opinion research firm. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will involve the organizer giving each resident delegation a certain amount of time to either ask the panel a question or make a statement to it. Despite Kay and the other key organizers of the presentation speaking publicly against the Town giving Halton Health Care services the $200 million, residents with opinions on both sides of the issue are welcome to speak, said Kay. Halton Health Care Services has confirmed that it will be sending a representative to the meeting. For more information or to register as a delegation, call Kay at 905-8443574. Those unable to attend can also speak to the hospital funding issue during the council meeting of Tuesday, April 6, or during the council meeting on Monday, April 19, when council will decide whether it will provide the money for the construction project. HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply * $ From 295 Up to 3 Year Service Warranty 60 DAY GUARANTEE: If after 60 days we have not provided you with the best hearing possible, we will give you your money back... We are an authorized clinic for DVA, WSIB, and Green Shield clients Call 905-827-7333 For a FREE Hearing Test. Age 18+ Hopedale Hearing Clinic In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville · 905-827-7333