TORONTO - Contractors bidding on The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre project have requested an extension to the bid submission deadline. 

The bidders require more time to allow subcontractors to provide their pricing information.  Infrastructure Ontario, The Ottawa Hospital and Queensway Carleton Hospital have granted an extension from August 29, 2007 to September 18, 2007 to provide bidders the time they require to complete their bid submissions.  The subcontractor pricing information is an important element to the bid submissions and will ensure a range of comprehensive and competitively priced submissions. 

The Ontario government and The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre are committed to moving this project forward to bring improved access to cancer care in the region.  

Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2007/early 2008.

The redevelopment project will include renovations and expansion of the cancer centre at The Ottawa Hospital's General Campus and the addition of a new satellite cancer centre at Queensway Carleton Hospital.

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre is an outpatient cancer treatment and research facility that serves the Champlain region. It provides programs in systemic therapy (chemotherapy), radiation therapy, surgical oncology, preventative oncology, palliative medicine and supportive care.  

Infrastructure Ontario will work with The Ottawa Hospital and Queensway Carleton Hospital to redevelop and expand The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.  Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects -- ensuring they are built on time and on budget. 

This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.  The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus public infrastructure investment plan.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Contacts: 

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario  
416-327-5325

Allison Neill  
The Ottawa Hospital - General Site  
613-737-8899 x 70271  

Judy Brown  
Queensway Carleton Hospital  
613-721-4700 x 5601