QUEEN'S PARK – Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker attended last week's estimates committee at Queen's Park to push Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid for action on local projects and to also call on him to provide direction with respect to the intended construction date for the new Markdale Hospital.
"Our riding has some very specific needs, which I feel are not being addressed by this government as expeditiously as they should be. This committee hearing was my opportunity to yet again face the responsible minister who is mandated to oversee all infrastructure projects across Ontario, including those in Bruce and Grey, and to remind him that he has yet to deliver on them," Walker said.
The specific concerns Walker raised with Minister Duguid during the committee hearings included the lack of construction timeframes for the new Markdale Hospital, the lack of express provincial support for the relocation of Georgian College's Marine Emergency Duties Training program to Owen Sound, continuing gaps in accessing high-speed Internet in the region and the uncertainty around the future of the Keppel-Wiarton Airport.
"Each project has been on the ministry's to-do list for too long," said Walker, adding that he is a prolific letter writer, and frequently advocates by pen directly to provincial and federal ministers to seek their support and personal commitment to riding projects. These projects will add jobs and money to our local economy and thus, I will continue to push for them to proceed."
"This minister has a clear mandate to action infrastructure projects that support our rural economies, create jobs and have a significant impact on the lives of our constituents. I know Minister Duguid agrees with me that each one of these four projects is in fact a significant asset that meets his ministry's directive. So, where is the money for it?"
"My approach is not to place blame on the current minister, but rather to seek his support of these projects and push for definitive dates for their completion. Said Walker: "It's my job to advocate on behalf of my riding and to remind the minister that he needs to take action now so that our infrastructure projects do not fall by the wayside."
Walker said he was nevertheless disappointed that the minister's answers fell short of critical details.
"Let's not let another decade go by. After years of a lot of talk and little action from this Liberal government, constituents in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound have every right to expect bold action from them in the coming fiscal year," he said (http://billwalkermpp.com/video/player.php?VideoID=118).
Source - Bill Walker MPP (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound)
