Government's Investment Will Improve Health Care System 

TORONTO-Infrastructure Ontario received bids from companies yesterday to build and finance the redevelopment of the Quinte Health Care's Belleville site for the purpose of modernizing the hospital and increasing its capacity to meet the needs of a growing and aging population. 

“Through ReNew Ontario, the government's $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan, we are rebuilding Ontario's infrastructure and making the biggest investment in the province's hospitals in well over a generation," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal.

The RFP to build and finance the Belleville site redevelopment was issued on May 29, 2006. 

In the next stage of the procurement process, the hospital and Infrastructure Ontario will evaluate the bids and make a recommendation to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.  A contract will be finalized and the winning bidder named in early 2007, with construction scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.

"We're on the side of Ontario families who want and deserve the very best health care," said George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "That's why our investment in hospitals and healthcare will grow by an additional $1.9-billion to $35.4-billion this year, rising to $38.8-billion in the following year."

Redevelopment of Quinte Health Care's Belleville site includes:  

  • construction of a new wing 
  • expansion of the complex continuing care and rehabilitation units
  • a small addition to expand the intensive care unit 
  • expansion of support services 
  • new facilities for the Children's Treatment Centre
  • expansion of the acute care facilities by 10 new surgical beds and 15 new medical beds
  • redevelopment and renovation of the emergency department, hospital laboratory, surgical suites and medical and mental health units (in future phases)  
  • additional 77 bed capacity for the hospital 

“The redevelopment of Quinte Health Care is great news for this region because a strong health care system underpins our quality of life and contributes to our economic prosperity,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and MPP for Hastings-Frontenac­Lennox-Addington.

“Today marks an important milestone for residents of the Quinte area and we're excited to see this project moving forward. This redevelopment project is part of the McGuinty government's plan to modernize hospitals, reduce wait times and upgrade medical equipment across Ontario,” said Ernie Parsons, Prince Edward-Hastings MPP. 

“This project plays an important role in improving access to health care in our community.  It's exciting to know that we are one step closer to completing our redevelopment project,” said Lloyd Churchill, Quinte Health Care Board Chair. 

Quinte Health Care will manage the project with Infrastructure Ontario under the province's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) program.  The new facility, like all hospitals in Ontario, will be publicly owned and publicly controlled. 

Infrastructure Ontario is an arm's length Crown corporation dedicated to the renewal of the province's hospitals, courthouses, and other essential public assets.  Using an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model that ensures appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses private financing for large-scale and complex projects to strategically rebuild vital infrastructure, on time and on budget.

Infrastructure Ontario also provides Ontario municipalities and universities with access to affordable loans to build and renew local public infrastructure.  

All infrastructure projects will be guided by the principles in the government's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, ensuring public ownership of core public assets such as hospitals, schools and water and wastewater infrastructure. Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Contacts:  

Amy Tang
Minister's Office  
Public Infrastructure Renewal  
416-325-4048  

Jennifer Sclisizzi 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416 325-7409 

Mark Burgess 
Quinte Health Care 
613-969-7400 x2331