Hamilton, Ontario, July 3, 2012 - The governments of Canada and Ontario celebrated today the expansion and renovation of Ronald McDonald House Hamilton, which will give critically ill children what they need most – their families.
The recently expanded Ronald McDonald House Hamilton will significantly increase accommodation options for families of critically ill children who are receiving life-saving treatments at nearby hospitals. By expanding the House from 15 to 40 bedrooms to accommodate rising demand, the facility will now have the capacity to serve more than double the number of families every night. Renovations also included upgrades to the kitchen, children’s play room and parking area, as well as the dining, laundry and entertainment facilities. Outdoor work included a new play area, gardens and walking paths.
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to deliver results across the country and I am delighted that our investments are strengthening the community here in Hamilton,” said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to support important community projects, like Ronald McDonald House Hamilton, that provide better care for children and families in need, while creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.”
“The newly expanded Ronald McDonald House Hamilton will provide families comfort, compassion and support services during the most difficult time in their lives,” said the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “The Ontario government is proud to contribute to this project that will offer a supportive home-like environment for families while their child receives the life-saving care they need.”
Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children who are staying at nearby hospitals. Each house has qualified, dedicated and compassionate staff and volunteers who are committed to taking care of the day-to-day essentials of running a home so families can devote more of their time to their ill child.
“For the past year, our staff and building committee members have been working diligently with the many construction crews and campaign volunteers with a goal to re-open our doors,” said Chantell Tunney, Executive Director at Ronald McDonald House Hamilton. “Each day we have faced new challenges sometimes requiring hard decisions, but in the end, we know that we have built the best House to serve our families better. We are thrilled to finally welcome 40 families to our new home.”
The Government of Canada contributed $2.6 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with the Province of Ontario approving up to $4.3 million. Ronald McDonald House Hamilton will cover the remainder of the total $13-million project cost.
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund supported more than 4,100 projects across the country, including over 2,000 key infrastructure projects in Ontario.
Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada’s plan to create jobs, generate economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the Government of Canada will be engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and representatives of the private sector at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.
This project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003,Ontariohas invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, makingOntario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
-30-
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-325-0781
Sarah DeLuca
Development Officer
Ronald McDonald House Hamilton
905-521-9983
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
