Northumberland Peterborough South MPP David Piccini believes one of his government’s biggest accomplishments in 2021 was getting more money for medium-sized hospitals like those in the Northumberland and Bay of Quinte regions.
He calls fixing the funding formula, resulting in a 31% increase in base funding, a game changer.
“Hospitals were really at a breaking point and the funding formula didn’t incentivize better patient-centred care and now it does. And I’m really excited that we’re giving hospitals the flexibility to really pivot and be more responsive.”
He’s also happy to see more long term care new builds and a commitment of four hours of direct care per resident.
Piccini says investments in infrastructure in rural Ontario have been another major accomplishment this year.
He notes there has been a more than $10 million increase in Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund money for local municipalities.
That’s money for roads, bridges, water/wasterwater and other areas.
“Rural municipalities are stretched and they haven’t had the support from the province that they need and deserve. And I’m proud to say we’re stepping up and delivering, you know, on those investments so that our communities, farmers can get their, you know products and what they grow to market. We all know farmers feed cities so it’s really important that we make this investment in rural Ontario.”
Piccini says the provincial investment means getting shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure projects.
“Going and talking to an 85-year-old woman who was there, who’s been walking that beach forever and was worried that it would be sold. To now say, you know, we’re protecting it for future generations so that your great-grandkids can walk on this beach in the same manner you did.”
