Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the Huntsville area on Saturday to celebrate the fundraising efforts toward building two new hospitals in Muskoka.
He and Graydon Smith, Parry Sound Muskoka–MPP, were the two special guests of the ‘Trails For Life’ event in Port Sydney. It was organized by the local snowmobiling community in support of the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation and Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
“We’re going to build a new hospital in Huntsville and a new one in Bracebridge and everyone’s pitching in and we’re raising money to build those two hospitals,” said Premier Ford in his interview with CTV News. “It will probably cost $600 million each hospital, well worth it, especially in the summers, as everyone knows that lives here, the population quadruples.”
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The Premier enjoyed the fruits of what has been a successful sledding season. He rode along in a snowmobiling convoy with MPP Smith, MPP Jill Dunlop, OPP officers and others before arriving for the event at Port Sydney Community Hall.
“I want to thank all the people riding the sleds, we put $5 million into it this year,” added Premier Ford, of the province’s recent snowmobiling investment. “I want to thank our OPP. Stay safe, follow the rules, get your stickers, and we’re good to go.”
That December investment saved the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) from cutting 4,500 kilometres of its 30,000-kilometre trail network.
“It was a lot of fun to be able ride in on snowmobiles with (Premier Ford) today,” said MPP Smith. “We’re getting paid back with perfect snowmobiling conditions.”
According to the OFSC trail map, almost all trails across the province have full availability.
For the hospitals, while there is not an official timetable on when construction will begin, the province says the process is making its way through its feasibility and study stages.
