THANKS TO PROVINCE FOR HOSPICE OPERATIONAL FUNDING

QUEEN’S PARK — With the doors to the new Andy’s House hospice in Port Carling nearly open, the province has guaranteed annual funding of $315,000 for the first three beds.

Tuesday in the Ontario legislature, MPP Norm Miller thanked the minister of health.

Mr. Norman Miller: A few weeks ago, I had the honour of announcing provincial funding for three hospice beds at Andy’s House in Port Carling.

Andy’s House has been 15 years in the making and will bring comfort to many patients, their families and caregivers.

This beautiful facility is named in honour of Andrew Potts, an OPP officer who was killed when his cruiser hit a moose in 2005.

In 2006, Andy’s father created the Andy Potts Memorial Foundation.

In 2012, the Andy Potts Memorial Foundation partnered with Hospice Muskoka, and the two organizations have raised more than $2.7 million from the community. In December, the district of Muskoka contributed $200,000.

I want to thank all the donors and volunteers and, in particular, I want to recognize Brock Napier, who made a very large donation, and Officer Matt Haines, who was Andy’s partner. I also want to recognize Sandra Winspear, the executive director of Hospice Muskoka, and her team.

Construction on Andy’s House started in 2018 and is almost complete. The rooms overlook the Indian River and each room has a patio with a door wide enough to take the bed outside so the patients can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view.

I want to thank the Health Minister Christine Elliott for providing $315,000 in annual funding to open and operate the first three hospice beds.

Congratulations to all involved in making Andy’s House a reality.

See Hospice Muskoka’s website with open house pictures at: https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/news/2020/1/21/andys-house-opening-soon