Quinte News is looking ahead to 2024 with Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith.
Smith says one of the area’s most exciting projects will really start to come to life next year as shovels are expected to go into the ground next year to begin work on a new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
“We’ve been working on that for a long time. When I started as MPP 12 years ago, we were worried about the future of hospitals in Trenton and Picton and now we’re building a brand new one in Prince Edward County and continuing to make investments at the one in Trenton.”
He says the provincial government will continue to address the primary care shortage in the area with funding for nurse practitioners and investments in front line medical workers.
And Smith, who has been Energy Minister since 2021, says the Ministry of Energy has come a long way.
He says when he first became an MPP, electricity rates were through the roof and very unpredictable.
But over the last few years, he feels they have gotten the file under control and intend to ensure energy prices remain affordable across Ontario so that companies continue to invest in the province.
“Whether it’s the Umicore facility at Loyalist Township or the historic Volkswagen announcement in St. Thomas or, you know, even some of the local investments that we’ve seen like Quinte Custom Foods or All Season Fencing. All of these programs and facilities have either located in the area or expanded their footprint in the area and there’s much more to come in 2024.”
Smith says the province will also work with the federal government and local municipalities to continue to address homelessness in 2024.
He adds while funding is increasing at the provincial level, the federal government needs to make the same kinds of commitments.
