The Honourable

Pierre Poilievre
MP for Carleton
Official Opposition Critic for Work and
Opportunity
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24, 2016

November

POILIEVRE DENOUNCES COSTLY & RISKY HOSPITAL LOCATION

OTTAWA, ON Today Member of Parliament Pierre Poilievre responded to the National Capital
Commissions recommendation that the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus be located at
Tunneys Pasture:
For seven years, the Ottawa Hospital assembled an expert panel to methodically select the
best location for a new campus. It scored sites based on land area, location, ambulance access,
and space for future expansions. By far, the best option was a big open field right across the
street from the current campus.
By contrast, the hospital twice rejected Tunneys Pasture. It scored lower on land area, land
access, proximity to the 417 highway, future expansion prospects, and land preparation. It
also received lower marks due to the higher impact of moving patients, equipment, and
personnel from the old Civic Campus to the new location.
Yet, at the behest of the Liberal government, the National Capital Commission, which has no
health care expertise, is forcing the hospital to move to exactly that location. This also goes
against the recommendation of Public Services and Procurement Canada.
What will it cost? Hospital estimates suggest it will be hundreds of millions of dollars to
demolish the existing buildings. Who will pay for this? Did the government consider these costs
in choosing the Tunneys Pasture option? Where will the public servants currently working there
go? These are significant questions that need to be answered.
-30For more information or to schedule an interview, contact 613-992-2772 or email
Pierre.Poilievre.A2@parl.gc.ca.