Yukon politician worries hospital addition costs out of control
Quotes for new addition to Whitehorse General Hospital are four times original cost
CBC News
Posted: Nov 22, 2012 7:53 PM CST
Last Updated: Nov 22, 2012 9:15 PM CST
Yukon politicians are arguing about a huge disparity in the price tag for proposed additions to the Whitehorse General Hospital.
The MLA for the Klondike, Sandy Silver, said estimates for the project are spiraling out of control.
"Just two years ago, the chair of the board said $45 [million] to $50 million, and now we are looking at these diagrams and these engineers’ reports [of] up to $287 million. Given this government's record on overspending taxpayers, we’ll be nervous to see these new figures," said Silver.
Health Minister Doug Graham didn’t dispute the numbers, but he said they are just numbers.
He said those figures are associated with a project still on the drawing board.
"There's been no decision at this time whether to go ahead with the concept plan as produced by the Yukon Hospital Corporation or whether in fact to take a completely different tack. Those decisions haven't been made and until we investigate and consult with everyone involved in a decision of this magnitude I am not willing to commit us to anything," he added.
The Yukon Party government is already facing criticism for its handling of two new hospital projects in Dawson City and Watson Lake. Both are over budget and behind schedule.
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