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The cost of demolition of some of the Tunney’s Pasture buildings and relocation of employees will be at least in the tens of millions of dollars. Those are our dollars that will be wasted. They should be spent on MRIs and more nurses instead.

Who in their right mind would physically separate the Heart Institute from the hospital when it is crucial that they be physically joined at the hip? It doesn’t make sense to move a critically ill patient by ambulance from one site to another when all you need to do is move them down a connecting corridor as is done now.

The number-one-ranked site across from the current Civic was originally chosen because it had the best access. As our community’s trauma centre, it is vitally important that ambulances have several access points to the Civic because seconds do count. If you look closely at the Tunney’s Pasture site, access doesn’t compare at all. The head of the NCC said that they did not receive any traffic studies before making their decision. So how could they make one when this is one of the most important factors?

We suggested to the NCC a common-sense solution: reconfigure the original number-one-ranked site to work around the research field. It’s easy. That way, you don’t waste many millions tearing down buildings; you honour the heritage and research of the Farm, and, you save lives.

We heartily recommend that citizens make their voices heard. Write letters, make calls to your MP, the mayor and Minister Joly.

Jacquelin Holzman and Jim Durrell are former mayors of Ottawa. Read their open letter to the NCC at www.bestchoicefornewcivichospital.ca.