News Updates

MPP’s proposals would save money, create jobs in Brockville

Jan. 15, 2010

TORONTO. Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman has presented a series of proposals to Health Minister Deb Matthews that would save the province tens of millions of dollars, while adding jobs at the Brockville Mental Health Centre.

Runciman met with Matthews at Queen’s Park on Thursday afternoon to outline his vision for the future of the Brockville facility. Specifically, he asked her to add forensic beds in Brockville, rather than rebuild the Oak Ridge facility in Penetanguishene; support a secure treatment unit for female offenders; place a one-year moratorium on the closure of transitional care beds at the BMHC; and consider a facility on the site to provide an alternative level of care, which would accommodate patients who are discharged from psychiatric hospital beds but who are not suitable candidates for long-term care homes. (Long-term care homes have expressed serious concerns about their ability to properly care for discharged psychiatric patients).

“There are strong arguments in favour of all of these proposals. And from the government’s standpoint, suggestions like this should be welcome news since I’m proposing measures that will save them money,” Runciman said.

The biggest potential savings comes from abandoning the plan to rebuild the Oak Ridge facility at an estimated cost of $200 million and building two more floors onto the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre building to house forensic patients.

“The original building cost $60 million and it was designed to add two more floors at a much reduced cost. We can save the government up to $170 million here at a time when the province’s finances are in rough shape. It would be irresponsible for them not to take a look at this,” Runciman said.

Matthews promised to give careful consideration to Runciman’s submission.

“I hope she really does look at these proposals with an open mind, because they save the province money, improve treatment for people who need it, and boost the local economy,” Runciman said. “If they care about public finances, health care and the economy of eastern Ontario, they’ll act on some or all of these ideas.

A copy of Runciman’s proposal to the minister is attached to this release.

For more information:
Bob Runciman (613) 342-9522

-30-