OTTAWA, ON – Tomorrow Carleton Member of Parliament Pierre Poilievre will urge the heritage committee to examine why Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has delayed construction of the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus.

 

The previous Conservative government accepted the decision of a hospital-appointed expert panel, which studied twelve locations and recommended the federal land across the street from the existing campus. Since forming government, the Liberals have slammed the brakes on the location and they have asked the hospital to provide multiple options for a future location. The hospital provided four options with a full analysis of each, but still not satisfied, Minister McKenna punted the matter over to the National Capital Commission for a decision, even though the Commission has no expertise in health care.

 

Poilievre raised this same motion with the health committee last week, but the Liberal majority shut it down before it could be considered.

 

“Tomorrow I will ask that the heritage committee study Minister McKenna’s delay of the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus,” Poilievre said. “The National Capital Commission reports to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, so the heritage committee clearly has the authority to ask questions about the Commission’s actions. I will be asking the committee to examine why the government is delaying construction, and call individuals such as Minister McKenna to be held accountable for their actions.

 

“Health care is a responsibility of the provincial government, so it’s extraordinary that the federal government is delaying the construction of a new hospital,” said Poilievre.

 

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