There’s no doubt as to where the Member of Provincial Parliament for Hastings-Lennox and Addington’s focus will be in the coming year.
“For me, it’s health care and infrastructure,” says Daryl Kramp. “We have the second highest population of seniors in Ontario in my riding. If we don’t take action on health care and long-term care facilities we are facing a ticking time bomb as the seniors population keeps increasing quickly.”
Kramp believes the newly formed Ontario Health Teams will improve medical care in the region especially with mobile teams including various medical professionals better serving rural areas.
“These teams and their leaders will be able to provide local input. Decisions will be made that work in the local region. Crucial decisions regarding how medical care is delivered won’t just be made by someone sitting in an office building in Toronto.”
Meanwhile, Kramp says he and neighbouring MPP Todd Smith will be pushing for more long-term care beds in the Quinte region and he believes some good news announcements on more beds will be coming in the new year. “We as a government have a long term commitment to add 15,000 beds across the province and we intend to keep that commitment.”
As far as infrastructure is concerned, Kramp says six major infrastructure projects (bridge, road, water/sewer) were funded by his government last year in Hastings-Lennox and Addington.
“That was great and early this year there’ll be another announcement regarding arts, culture and recreation projects that were approved for government funding. In my riding we submitted 32 applications. This funding could be used to upgrade or build a new arena or fitness facility, make ATV trails, expand libraries. I’m looking forward to bringing some positive news on projects not too long from now.”
The MPP also pointed to continuing investment in improving broadband and cellphone service in this part of the province. “Keeping up with technology is crucial to our economic success.”
