Queen’s Park – Jerry Ouellette, MPP Oshawa today questioned the McGuinty government over the recent cutbacks to Pinewood Centre and essential services at Lakeridge Health. The government directive requires cutbacks of $8million including $1.6million from Pinewood Centre.

“I am extremely disappointed the McGuinty Liberal government has turned its back on some of the most vulnerable people of Oshawa and has abandoned Pinewood Centre,” says Jerry Ouellette MPP, Oshawa.

During questioning in the Legislature, Health Minister George Smitherman refused to acknowledge the seriousness of the cutbacks and denied any assistance to the residents of Oshawa.

In a peer-reviewed study, Lakeridge Health has been recognized among the top 25 per cent of hospitals in Ontario for providing efficient health care services.

“I have been working with the community at the grass-roots level to highlight the seriousness of the McGuinty government’s decision,” states Ouellette. The mental health programs and addition treatment facilities at Pinewood Oshawa are absolutely necessary for assisting residents of our community who suffer severe disorders.

Ouellette adds, “This issue has awakened the concerns citizens of Oshawa, it will not be forgotten as just another Dalton McGuinty broken promise.”

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