For Immediate Release
September 19, 2005

Baird and Poilievre Launch Campaign against rent hike on QCH by Federal Liberals

(Ottawa) - Nepean-Carleton MPP, John Baird and Nepean-Carleton MP, Pierre Poilievre launched a campaign yesterday Sunday September 18th, against Paul Martin's planned rent hike for the Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH). The kick-off for the campaign took place on the front lawn of QCH.

In a few short years the current lease for the land on which the hospital was built is up for renewal. At that time Paul Martin's Liberal Government plans to force the NCC, which has no choice in the matter, to charge full market rent to the Queensway-Carleton Hospital.

"This decision by the Federal Liberals will result in tens of millions of dollars, intended to support front line patient care, being diverted to the federal Liberal government," said Baird. "We will not let this happen without a fight."

This massive rent increase being demanded by Paul Martin's Liberals, will result in 40 nurses losing their jobs at the hospital," said Poilievre. "That is truly shameful. We are calling on the Prime Minister to do the right thing."

The campaign will feature newspaper ads in the form of an open letter to Paul Martin which began running this past week, radio ads that begin today Monday September 19th, a petition campaign to both the Queen's Park and the House of Commons, a campaign website www.freeourhospital.ca, thousands of letters already mailed to constituents, and a letter campaign directed at Paul Martin and local Liberal MPs.

For more information, please contact:

Office of John Baird, MPP (613) 828-2020
Office of Pierre Poilievre, MP (613) 990-4300