Markdale is to receive its long-awaited new hospital, sources say.

An announcement of the new facility, by the provincial government, is imminent.

Local MPP Bill Walker commented:
"Last evening I received news from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care that Minister Eric Hoskins was visiting Markdale to "share new information about Markdale Hospital." His staff would not disclose any further information. As all of us are well aware, the Government has been promising to replace the ageing Centre Grey Hospital for more than a decade. During all those years, local residents, hospital staff, the former MPP, Bill Murdoch and I myself, since being elected to serve as the local MPP in 2011, have actively and continuously pushed the Government to announce a construction date for the new hospital. Following a most recent meeting with Minister Hoskins at AMO conference, I reported that I was pleased to both see and hear that Minister Hoskins seemed refreshingly sincere in finding a resolve to our long-standing issue of getting the new hospital built, and that's why I said at that time that I honestly felt we were within reach of a positive outcome. After 12 years, my expectation is that Minister Hoskins will announce today his intended construction date for the new Markdale Hospital. My position is clear: at this point in time, anything short of that solid date, in my mind, is shortchanging the care needs of the patients and families of our community who rallied to raise $13.2 million on the promise they would get the new hospital facility. It's time the Government honoured its commitment, and I also hope that construction will begin within the next six months."