Windsor mega-hospital '100%' going ahead, MPP says

The provincial government is reinforcingits support for the new mega-hospital in Windsor, which was mentioned in Monday's speech from the throne.

MPP Paul Calandra, government house leader in the Ontario legislature, said the project is "100 per cent" going ahead.

"The premier has made it very clear that that hospital is going ahead," he said.

Support for the project's second of fivestageswas announced in the provincial government's spring budget.

The province said it would beallocating $9.8 million to "support the ongoing planning" of the new acute care hospital, which will be located on a 24-hectaresite atCounty Road 42 and the 9th Concession.

The project is intended to replace the aging campuses of Windsor Regional Hospital but there has been criticism of the plan on the grounds that it would leave the downtown core without a hospital.

The mega-hospitalwas among the health-care commitments mentionedduring the speech from the throne, which kicked off the fall session of the legislatureon Monday.

The speech is read by the Lieutenant-Governor but reflects the priorities of the governing party.

"Your government will also continue to make progress in developing a new hospital for the people of Windsor Essex, who have long advocated for their voices to be heard and health needs to be met," Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell said.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens saidthe mention of the project"speaks volumes" about the province's commitment to the project.

"We've been following up very, very frequently with the government tryingto get that almost $10 million releasedso [Windsor Regional Hospital president] David Musyjand the team can continue on the Stage 2 work that needs to be done," he said onCBC Radio's Windsor Morningon Tuesday.