DONATIONS TO HOSPITAL IN WILSON'S NAME ENCOURAGED

As MPP, Jim Wilson has committed himself to the redevelopment of hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood.

With both projects on their way through the Ministry of Health's capital planning process, and Wilson set to retire as a politician after nearly 32 years, a campaign has been launched to cement the MPP's legacy supporting the hospitals. Former Progressive Conservative riding association president Simon Ainley and former vice-president John Greswell have sent out a letter encouraging people to donate to the foundations for both hospitals in the name of the long-serving MPP.

The campaign takes the place of a farewell event marking Wilson's retirement, something Ainley and Greswell state that Wilson has asked not to be organized.

"The important redevelopment projects supported by these foundations are crucial to ensuring that our communities enjoy the kind of modern, state-of-the-art health care that Jim Wilson has worked so hard to achieve," stated the letter, provided to Simcoe.com by Greswell.

The letter highlights Wilson's advocacy for business, agriculture, tourism and local municipalities, but also his "passion" for health care. "He has worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of seniors, expand access to medications for rare diseases and, in particular, modernize and redevelop our local hospitals," the letter stated. To donate to the Alliston hospital in Wilson's name, go to transformingstevenson.ca/ways-to-give/redevelopment. To donate to the Collingwood hospital, go to cgmhf.com/donate.

For his part, Wilson said a contribution is more than just recognition of his service. "It is an investment in the long-term health and well-being of the people and communities we care about," he told Simcoe.com in an email. "We have an obligation to ensure that future generations have access to modern medical facilities.