For Immediate Release 
February 8, 2011 

MPP DUNLOP FURIOUS ABOUT LAST MINUTE INVITATION

Dunlop given less that 24 hours notice about Rural and Northern Healthcare Consultation in Orillia

Orillia: Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is fuming over a last minute invitation to an important consultation event in Orillia dealing with the Rural and Northern Health Care Panel’s Stage 1 Report. The office of the Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care, notified Dunlop via e-mail late last night that a consultation team meeting with Ontarians to discuss rural and northern health care would be in Orillia tonight.

“Shame on the McGuinty Liberal Government for planning a consultation on health care concerns in Simcoe North and not having the decency to give the MPP with jurisdiction in the riding more than 24 hours notice about the event,” said Dunlop.

Word of the session being held at Soldier’s Memorial Hospital by Liberal MPPs Liz Sandals and Rick Johnson, comes just three days after Dunlop hosted his 11th Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Orillia’s Soldier’s Memorial Hospital. The Simcoe North MPP has been very active in his support of health care in the riding. He is also an active member with Physician Recruitment Teams in Orillia and Midland.

“I hear health care concerns all the time from my constituents, many in rural areas of Simcoe North. It annoys me that MPPs would not be notified well in advance so they can attend and provide information gleaned from constituents,” added Dunlop. “MPPs have every right to be notified with sufficient time, this is not something you play politics with especially when it comes to health care by providing less than 24 hours notice.”

“I am also deeply concerned that the cost of this health care consultation process comes out of the Ministry of Health and Long term Care’s budget,” noted Dunlop.  “Ontario taxpayers are paying for this junket by footing the bill for the team’s travel expenses, nights at hotels, dinners etc. This just proves once again that the McGuinty Liberals are out of touch and have no regard for how they spend Ontario taxpayer’s dollars.”  

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT:

Garfield Dunlop, MPP 
 705-327-4500 (cell)