Province confirms new hospital to be built in Whitby

The provincial governmentconfirmed Thursday a new regional hospital will be built in Whitby, an announcement that comes after months of public tension between the town's mayor and Premier Doug Ford.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the goal is for the hospital to be built and operational within 10 years.

The province has given Lakeridge Health, which currently operates five hospitals in Durham Region,$12 million in grants as it works on a masterplan for several long-termhealth-care projects, including the hospital in Whitby.

In February, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy launched a public pressure campaign targeted at Ford and his government, urging the province to make good on a promise to build a new acute-care hospital in Durham.

An independent panel established by Lakeridge Health selected Whitby as the preferred site for a new hospital in January 2022, and Roy accused Ford of dithering on a $3-million planning grant necessary to put the project in motion.

As part of her campaign, the townoffered raffle prizes to residents who took part in a survey aimed at drumming upsupport for the new hospital.

WATCH | Health minister says new hospital could be operational in 10 years:

New Whitby hospital will be built and operational in 10 years: health minister

1 month ago

Duration 3:26

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones made the announcement at a news conference in Oshawa on Thursday.

In April, Ford said Roy was trying to bully him and criticized her methods for soliciting community support for thehospital, calling them "improper." He suggested the raffle, which offered prizes like gym memberships and Apple iWatches, could breach ethics rules.

"You can't be doing that. Elected officials cannot be pulling these games. We've committed to make sure we have a hospital in Durham," Ford said at the time.

"We're going to go through the process and I'm not going to be bullied by that mayor out there that's constantly going, going out there and offering everything under the kitchen sink."

Ford was alongside Jones on Thursday to announce the new hospital. Roy was not present at the news conference.

In a statement, Roy said she was "absolutely thrilled" the province has "recognized the urgent need for a new hospital."

Roy thanked Ford and Jones by name, while also thanking Whitby residents who took part in the advocacy campaign.

"Our community rallied behind this cause," she said. "You spoke, and the province heard you."

The larger masterplanunder development by Lakeridge Health will also see 300 new hospital beds added throughout Durham.

The work includesa redeveloped hospital in Bowmanville and a new post-acute care facility in Pickering for rehabilitation and recovery. The province and the hospital are also considering redeveloping the Ajax Pickering Hospital.

Lakeridge says the provincial funding will allow it to address gaps in complex continuing care and rehabilitation services across the region.