The Brampton Board of Trade launched its Save Our
Hospital campaign in September at a press conference
at Peel Memorial Hospital with pictured from left
BBOT CEO Sheldon Leiba, President Linda Ford and
former Ontario Premier William G. Davis. |
Speaking at the launch, Brampton Board of Trade President
Linda Ford said “our large and growing city warrants
having two hospitals – two hospitals that we were promised
to have – two hospitals that out community frankly needs
and deserves.”
Earlier this summer, The BBOT wrote a strongly-worded
letter to the Premier and Minister of Health urging
them to keep Peel Memorial Hospital open, calling the
closing a “health care crisis” for Brampton.
“Hospitals are a responsibility of the provincial government,
and as such, your government is accountable for ensuring
that Brampton has adequate hospital care that is commensurate
with our large and growing population, and with the
higher levels of service provided throughout the province,”
Ford said in the letter.
The Province has not yet responded.
BBOT CEO Sheldon Leiba said the Board of Trade felt
compelled to take action. “Brampton has long been under
serviced in hospital care and even when our new Brampton
Civic Hospital opens with 479 beds and expands to 608
beds in 2011/12, we will still be under serviced.”
“As Brampton’s leading business association we have
a strong focus on economic development and the quality
of life of our community. Businesses are attracted to
cities that have good health care services.”
With the new hospital at full compliment, Brampton will
have one bed per thousand, well below the provincial
average of 2.7.
“The gap in health care and social services is widening.
Our community is not receiving its fair share of funding
for these important services and we need to be vigilant
to ensure our citizens are well served,” says Ford.
October is Brampton Civic Hospital month, a campaign
to celebrate and engage residents in fundraising activities
to support the new hospital.
“Our campaign in no way is intended to take away from
the opening and the celebration of the new hospital.
We have been strong supporters of this world class facility
from its inception. We have even launched our own fundraising
campaign to support BCH. But the reality is, as our
population grows, we will need two hospitals and once
the doors close on PMH on October 28, we fear they will
not reopen and that would be a tragedy for our city,”
said Ford.
You can add your voice to other citizens who support
the Save our Hospital campaign by visiting www.saveourhospital.ca
.
“Our campaign is a call to action for Brampton residents.
This is not a business issue; it’s a public health issue.
As a community we need to let the Premier and Health
Minister know that we will not accept this level of
hospital care in Canada’s 11th largest city. We need
two hospitals in Brampton and are demanding a demonstrable
commitment now.”
Ted Rogers, Mayor
Fennell and BBOT officially open Rogers Park
The Brampton Board of Trade was part of the celebration
and opening of Rogers Park in Brampton, now Brampton’s
largest employer. From left, BBOT CEO Sheldon Leiba,
President Linda Ford, Mayor Susan Fennell and Ted
Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Communications
Inc. |
Ted Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Communications
Inc., officially opened Rogers’ new building in Brampton
– known as Rogers Park - alongside Brampton Mayor Susan
Fennell, Linda Ford, President of the Brampton Board
of Trade and Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications
Inc. Originally purchased on Jan, 4, 2006, the building
is now at full capacity with almost 5,000 employees,
many of whom joined the celebration.
“Brampton is where I started my Cable business, so
I am very happy to be back with Rogers employees working
in an incredible building in a great city,” said Rogers.
“When we purchased Rogers Park last year, we knew we
were getting more than mortar and bricks: we gained
a modern and truly imaginative workplace that is designed
to inspire.”
"Brampton enjoyed an early and historic association
with Rogers Communications Inc., as the home of one
of the company's first cable TV community stations."
said Mayor Fennell. "I am so pleased that this
great company once again calls Brampton home and we
wish continued success at this wonderful location."
At almost one million square feet on 63 acres of land,
the complex is an impressive facility both inside and
out. The interior of the building features an innovative
design concept based on the creation of an indoor "city"
with distinct neighbourhoods, including: a "Main
Street", park-like areas with real trees and natural
groves, a Health and Wellness Centre and Fitness facilities,
a 2.5 kilometre walking path, basketball and volleyball
courts and a pond and waterfall.
The facility has been honoured with several Environmental
and Design Awards, including the Business Week/Architectural
Record Award, the American Institute of Architects "Best
in Class" Award, the Texas Society of Architects
Award and two design awards from the City of Brampton.
“Rogers has had a very strong and long-standing connection
to serving and supporting the Brampton community,” said
Linda Ford, Brampton Board of Trade President. “Having
Rogers become one of our city’s major employers is not
only a significant welcome addition to our local economy,
but also a wonderful testament to Brampton as a great
place for business to locate and employees to live.”
Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG) is
a diversified Canadian communications and media company
engaged in three primary lines of business. Rogers Wireless
is Canada's largest wireless voice and data communications
services provider and the country's only carrier operating
on the world standard GSM technology platform. Rogers
Cable and Telecom is Canada's largest cable television
provider offering cable television, high-speed Internet
access, residential telephony services, and video retailing,
while its Rogers Business Solutions division is a national
provider of voice communications services, data networking,
and broadband Internet connectivity to small, medium
and large businesses across the country. Rogers Media
is Canada's premier collection of category leading media
assets with businesses in radio and television broadcasting,
televised shopping, publishing and sports entertainment.
For further information about the Rogers group of companies,
please visit www.rogers.com.
Help raise funds this month
October is Brampton Civic Hospital Month
October is Brampton Civic Hospital Month. William
Osler Health Centre Foundation is asking members
of the community to get together with fellow employees,
community groups, organizations, family or friends
to think of and hold a creative event to raise money
for the new hospital. Here, William Osler Health
Centre Foundation President & CEO Anne K. Randell,
left, Brampton Board of Trade CEO Sheldon Leiba
and BBOT President Linda Ford showcase Brampton’s
new hospital. |
After more than 30 years of lobbying and planning,
and almost three years of construction, Brampton Civic
Hospital, our community’s new, modern health care facility,
will open its doors to patients on October 28. Click
here to read on
In preparation for this monumental event, Brampton
Mayor Susan Fennell has proclaimed October as Brampton
Civic Hospital Month. During this time, William Osler
Health Centre Foundation is asking members of the community
to get together with fellow employees, community groups,
organizations, family or friends to think of and hold
a creative event to raise money for the new hospital.
The momentum for this initiative is already starting
to build with McDonald’s Restaurants, A-1 Taxi, the
Brampton Battalion Hockey Club, Brampton Auto Mall and
Tim Hortons on board as participants.
Serving close to one million local residents, BCH will
offer patients unparalleled care and a comprehensive
range of services including expanded cancer, cardiac,
diabetes and critical care programs.
Brampton Civic will open with 479 beds up from Peel
Memorial Hospital’s 366 and have 608 open when running
at full capacity. It is anticipated that the Emergency
Department will have more than 80,000 visits in its
first year. Many features have been added to facilitate
accessibility and make the hospital experience less
stressful for both patients and their families.
Once participants decide on a fundraising event, they
are encouraged to contact Mary Watson at the Foundation
(905) 494-2120 ext. 25742 or go online www.oslerfoundation.org
to register for their free fundraising kit. Each kit
contains a counter card, peel n’stick buttons, fundraising
ideas and more information that will help to ensure
the event is successful. The Foundation’s web site will
also keep an up to date list with all the fundraising
events taking place.
Hospitals belong to communities. And what better way
for the community to help their new hospital to hold
a fundraising event to help raise money in support of
William Osler Health Centre Foundation. Over $89 million
has been raised to date for the Foundation’s $120 million
Here for you… caring for you Community Campaign.
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