Provincial minister George Smitherman says Halton’s growth needs aren’t unique, and regional councillors only have to look a short distance from the front doors of their offices to see the considerable investment the province is making in the region’s infrastructure.

Smitherman, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, was responding to a recent resolution by Halton Regional Council that threatens to put a halt to development growth unless funding is received to pay for necessary infrastructure investments.

“Our government has put more money into infrastructure than any government in a heck of a long time,” he said.

In town for a fundraising dinner for Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, Smitherman pointed to the provincial expansion of the QEW as one of the investments that has been made in Halton’s infrastructure.

“(Growth pressures) are not unique to Halton,” he told the Oakville Beaver following his speech to about 120 Liberal supporters. “Lots of places have very, very particular needs and we’re going to do our best to meet those needs.”

During his speech, Smitherman said he will be meeting with Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr over the next 10 days to discuss the issue.

He stopped short of guaranteeing that provincial cash would result, but said the province would work cooperatively with Halton.

“I have every expectation coming in to that meeting that (Carr) and I will demonstrate that we’re working together,” he told an audience of about 120 Liberal supporters.

On Wednesday, regional councillors unanimously approved a motion to suspend water and sewer allocations for new homes in north Oakville and Milton until a financial plan is developed that won’t compromise Halton’s financial position or increase taxes beyond those currently forecast.

The region has repeatedly argued that it can’t accommodate the thousands of new residents called for in the province’s Places to Grow plan without significant funding help for infrastructure.

The recent motion grew out of an earlier one suggested by Carr that would have limited a regional population increase until the province improved capacity at all Halton hospitals.

Over the summer, it was announced that Oakville’s new hospital – originally scheduled to open in 2013 – would be delayed by 13 months due to a shortage of qualified construction firms in the province.

After reminding his audience that the province donated the land for the new hospital, Smitherman said his government recognizes the need for the new facility and will try to move the project forward as quickly as possible.

While he wouldn’t guarantee there would be no further delays, Smitherman added after his speech, “We feel very, very confident that, if anything, we’ll be able to bring it forward.”

John Oliver, president and CEO of Halton Healthcare Services, was at the fundraising dinner. He said it is essential to replace the aging Oakville hospital, which is experiencing delays in admitting people and has to bus staff in from the Oakville Place mall due to its parking woes.

“We’re already out of space and we really need to get the project in the ground as soon as possible,” said Oliver.