Healthcare a ‘top concern’ for Fort Erie, says independent candidate

Joedy Burdett says he has plans on how Fort Erie residents can access healthcare if and when the closure of the Douglas Memorial urgent care centre becomes a reality.

Burdett, an independent candidate for the Niagara Falls riding in the upcoming provincial election, is one of seven people vying to represent Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. He is a Niagara Falls resident who owns a business in the city, Niagara Tinting.

Access to healthcare is a “top concern” for Fort Erie.

“I understand this completely, as I too don’t have a family doctor and dread the thought of waiting for hours at the local walk-in clinic, let alone the prospect of going to the soon-to-be-decommissioned Niagara Falls hospital,” he said in a statement to Fort Erie Radio.

He said he plans to go to Queen’s Park to learn about the province’s long-term healthcare plans for Fort Erie.

“I suspect that Niagara South hospital is intended to serve as the main healthcare facility. If that’s the case and no satellite locations will be built in Fort Erie or Niagara-on-the-Lake, I will work as MPP to ensure efficient transportation systems are in place to get residents to the South Niagara Hospital quickly,” he wrote.

“Just as fire department policies ensure short response times to save lives and property, transportation to hospitals must be just as swift, if not more so,” he added.

He said his plan involves finding out the “province’s stance on building a hospital in Fort Erie and make sure residents are informed.”

“If a new hospital is on the horizon, I’ll fight for it,” he added.

If this isn’t the case, then he will “advocate for satellite healthcare facilities that can safely transport residents to (the South Niagara Hospital) as quickly as possible, even if that requires on-site stabilization.”

He said another goal is to ensure residents have a safe and secure lifestyle, which includes “access to housing and reliable medical care.”

Reducing the cost of living is a top priority for everyone, he admitted.

One Niagara is a concept Burdett is supportive of.

“While many issues and solutions are on the table, my key approach is to create a Greater Niagara Governance Area by amalgamating all Niagara municipalities,” he said.

This would reduce government duplication and, hopefully, create financial and operational efficiencies that benefit all cities in the region, said Burdett.

Also running in the Niagara Falls race are incumbent NDP Wayne Gates, Ontario PC candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, and Shafoli Kapur for the Liberals.

Celia Taylor has entered the race for the Green Party.

Gary Dumelie is running for the New Blue Party, and Andrew Soifert is running for the Ontario Party.

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