A new grassroots organization says it's time voices in support of the location of the new hospital are heard.
Members of "42 Forward - Our New Hospital" have officially launched a postcard campaign to get the attention of the Minister of Health.
"There's been so much negative information out there, a lot of it misinformation and that's what motivated us to get going," said spokesperson Brian Stocks. "We thought somebody has to speak up and provide a vehicle for the majority now to be heard. So that's what we're doing and we're committed to that. Our biggest fear is that we lose the hospital and we just don't want to let that happen."
Stocks said they want the government to know many in the community support the location on County Road 42 and the 9th Concession and they are ready to move forward.
The group has printed 3,000 postcards that will be delivered to local businesses and organizations to collect signatures. They will present these postcards, along with the signatures on an online petition, to the Minister of Health sometime in the coming weeks. The online petition, launched just over a week ago, has nearly 1,000 signatures.
A group opposed to the location, Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process, will make its case to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in October. The group is expected to argue that city council used out of date information when it approved the rezoning of the site for the new hospital.
The group 42 Forward - Our New Hospital will also host a rally on October 3, 2019, to gather support from the community.
"It's a rally. We're not out to re-litigate the question again," said spokesperson Joe McParland. "We believe an answer was made and that decision is final. We're there to celebrate moving it forward."
The rally will be held at the Signature Tribute Events Centre at 6 p.m. There will be entertainment as well as presentations by community members.
