Leeds-Grenville highlights

Over the past year, a number of important projects in Leeds-Grenville received financial support from the Ontario Government. This funding helped area hospitals balance their books, created a new health centre in Rideau Lakes Township, and assisted many projects designed to improve the quality of life for citizens of Leeds-Grenville.
While these announcements were documented in news releases issued by the office of Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman, not all of them found their way into local news reports.
Following are some highlights contained in these news releases:

Kemptville District Hospital _ A number of funding announcement were directed to the Kemptville District Hospital. The Ministry of Health recently approved $111,135 to KDH, half the cost of constructing a new roof, replacing windows on the 1969 wing and replacing and relining exterior underground sewage pipes.

Transportation funding increased _ Additional funding of $2.8 million was allocated to area school boards to help them address pressures in transportation costs. Upper Canada District School Board received the largest funding boost in the province at $1,462,076. The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario was allocated $572,851 and the Catholic French Board of Eastern Ontario $736,258.

St. Vincent de Paul Hospital _ The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care increased funding to St. Vincent de Paul Hospital by $500,000 in October to support patient services.

Health Centre opens _ The official opening of the Country Roads Community Health Centre in Portland on October 12 attracted a huge crowd. The Ontario government provided close to $1.6 million for the project giving area residents easy access to modern health services.

Recycling support _ Municipalities in Leeds-Grenville shared more than $40,000 in grants from the Liquor Control Board to help cover the costs of recycling alcohol beverage containers. The money was allocated based on the tonnage of recycling by each municipality.

Diabetes treatment and prevention _ Two agencies in Leeds-Grenville and Lanark received $38,478 to enhance diabetes care and prevention. The Rideau Valley District Diabetes Education Program received $36,195 for expand its education programs and fund support groups and Kemptville District Hospital got $2,283 to expand education services.

Ontario Early Years Centre _ Leeds-Grenville was one of 15 ridings named to host an Ontario Early Years Centre. Creation of these centres are part of the Ontario Government's plan to give pre-school children the best possible start in life through a variety of programs, services and information. In the future, all 103 ridings in Ontario will have centres.

Medical equipment funding _ Seventeen local health care facilities were awarded $646,000 to upgrade and modernize medical equipment. The allocations were made to the Brockville General Hospital $163,609; St. Vincent de Paul Hospital $29,004; Kemptville District Hospital $37,526; Country Roads Community Health Centre $10,430; Merrickville Community Health Centre $10,697; St. Lawrence Lodge of Brockville $104,988; Maple View Lodge of Athens $17,936; Sherwood Park Manor of Brockville $46,807; Carveth Care Centre, Gananoque $41,120; Rosebridge Manor, Jasper $34,121; Bayfield Manor Nursing Home, Kemptville $28,872; Hilltop Manor Nursing Home, Merrickville $26,247: Wellington House of Prescott $26,246; Leeds-Grenville County Ambulance Service $43,823; and eye specialists Dr. Ardis Lindsay $20,824 and Dr. Samuel Stevens $3,909.

Specialized court _ Expansion of the domestic violence program brought a new specialized domestic court to Brockville. The program offers a range of cordinated services including specialized investigations by police to obtain evidence, prosecution of repeat offendors by specialized Crown Attorneys; and support services for victims through the Victims/Witness Assistance Program.

Business achievement awards _ Brockville will host the Eastern Ontario Global Traders Awards on April 4, 2002 celebrating the achievements of Eastern Ontario companies in world markets.

Lighthouse preserved _ A $15,600 grant from the Ontario Heritage Foundation provided the historic Cole's Shoal Lighthouse at Long Beach with a much-need facelift.

Youth Justice Committee _ Leeds-Grenville was selected as one of 12 sites for a new Youth Justice Committee. Under the program, non-violent first-time young offenders will face the immediate consequences of their actions, their cases will be resolved more quickly and young people will be positively influenced to avoid future wrong-doing. The announcement tripled the number of Youth Justice Committees in Ontario.

Work-for-welfare success _ The Leeds-Grenville Social Services Department was rewarded with an additional $748,500 for its success in its workfare placement program. Premier Mike Harris, Community and Social Services Minister John Baird and Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman visited the Foundations for the Future Centre in Brockville to make the announcement. During 2000-2001 fiscal year, Leeds-Grenville placed 1,095 clients in working environments.

Maple View Lodge _ Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocated nine new beds to the Maple View Lodge to improves its financial viability. With the transfer of nine beds from St. Lawrence Lodge, Maple View Lodge will serve 59 residents in its renovated and expanded facilities.

Hospital funding increased _ In July, base funding for the three hospitals in Leeds-Grenville was increased to $36,535,355 for the 2001-2002. The Brockville General Hospital's funding was increased 4.5 per cent to $25,583,329 while funding for St. Vincent de Paul Hospital rose 6.2 per cent to $5,089,819 and Kemptville District Hospital increased 4.4 per cent to $5,862,207. Earlier in the year St. Vincent de Paul Hospital received a special grant of $100,000 to help balance its budget.

Better connections _ The Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology provided funding of $50,000 to help local partners develop a business plan to improve internet access to local information and services. The project, Window on the Rural World, is receiving support under the first phase of the Connect Ontario initiative.

Respite care for parents _ Brockville and District Association for Community Involvement received $157,000 to help 45 families with high needs children. The money is being used to provide children's out-of-home respite services. Sharing in the funding are Developmental Services of Leeds-Grenville and the North Grenville Association for Community Living.

Promoting tourism _ Riverfest received grants totalling $47,500 to help promote its summer festival. Under the Tourism Event Marketing Program Riverfest received $27,500 and another $20,000 was provided by the Trillium Foundation for the Brockville Hydroplane Racing Inc. to organize races.

Brockville General Hospital _ Hospitals with a proven record of providing efficient health care services were provided special grants by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Under the program the Brockville General Hospital received $711,991. St. Vincent de Paul Hospital was allocated $100,000 to help the hospital balance its budget. Kemptville District Hospital received a one-time grant of $114,479 to cover unexpected wage settlement expenses.

Child and Youth Wellness Centre of Leeds-Grenville _ A grant of $85,044 was awarded to the Child and Youth Wellness Centre of Leeds-Grenville from the Early Years Challenge Fund to support programs for pre-school children.

Equipment upgrades _ A grant of $467,565 from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was approved for Brockville General Hospital to help cover the cost of upgrading and replacing diagnostic and treatment equipment.

Dialysis services expansion _ Bayshore Centre Ltd. of Brockville was authorized by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to expand dialysis service from 18 to 24 patients.

Alzheimer programs _ The Providence Continuing Care Centre (St. Vincent de Paul Hospital) received $45,000 for expansion of adult day/respite services for people with Alzheimer's Disease. Two other local agencies received $23,506 to help cover the cost of equipment and program materials under the province's Alzheimer's Strategy.

Innovative program supported _ Thresholds, an innovative program to help young adults with developmental disabilities, was approved by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The ministry will provide funding of $225,624 to provide programs for young adults who no longer attend school. The program was developed by the Gananoque and District Association for Community Living; North Grenville Association for Community Living; The Brockville and District Association for Community Involvement; Career Services of Brockville and Developmental Services of Leeds-Grenville.

Environmental centre _ Landon Bay Environmental Centre received a $19,183 grant from the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation to help meet the costs of hiring a co-ordinator. The facility with more than 30 gardens offers access to people with limited mobility and allows them to participate as well as tour the site.

Underserviced designation _ In February, the Brockville area was designated under the Underserviced Area Program to help deal with the shortage of physicians. The program helps municipalities attract physicians to their area through a number of initiatives.