Hospital in Vaudreuil-Dorion given go-ahead by Quebec government
$16M set aside to buy site for promised emergency and specialized health-care facility
The Quebec government is going ahead with the construction of a long-promised new hospital west of Montreal.
Health Minister Gaétan Barrette announced the government has chosen a site in the city of Vaudreuil-Dorion, just off the western tip of the island of Montreal, and it has set aside $16 million to buy land and pay for expropriation costs.
Another $800 million will be set aside for the hospital's construction, a spokesperson for the minister said.
The 250,000-square-metre plot of land is located at the intersection of Highway 30 and Cité des Jeunes Boulevard.
The site will eventually be home to the first emergency and specialized health-care facility for the region of 150,000 residents. Barrette said the government expects the population to balloon to 250,000 in 15 years.
"The reform that I am undertaking is about bringing services close to patients' homes," the minister said.
Right now, the closest hospital serving the region is the Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire, which is known for being overcrowded with long wait times.
Residents of the area interviewed by CBC balked at the price tag, but agreed it was worth it for better access to emergency care.
"As long as you don't have to wait. That's the whole point of having a new hospital," said Ling Chhiv.
Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon said he's relieved to see a firm commitment from the province.
"We know now we'll have a hospital. It's been decided, the money will be there, and we can work on projects other than fighting for something that seemed obvious to us," Pilon said.
A statement from the Health Ministry said after the land is acquired, it will elaborate a clinical plan for the region to work out the local population's needs.
Construction is expected to begin within five years, the ministry said.
Barrette said the site is easily accessible from major thoroughfares.