May 23, 2008

The Ontario government is buying 100 new Dodge Caravans from Windsor’s Chrysler Plant to provide Ontarians seeking access to health care with health-related transportation services.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is allocating $2.4 million towards the purchase of the Windsor-made vans. An economic spinoff investment of nearly $56,000 will go to a Windsor company to wrap each of the vehicles with decaling.

The new fleet will begin rolling off the production line in the coming weeks and will be delivered to each of Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks later this summer. For Ontarians, the vans will provide transportation to health appointments.

Windsor’s Minivan Chrysler Plant operates 24-hours a day, on a three-shift operation and employs roughly 5,000 people. This plant is the lead source of minivan production in North America and generates millions of dollars towards the provincial economy each year.

"I’m proud that we're buying from our local Windsor economy,” said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and MPP for Windsor West. “We know we make great cars - and this demonstrates confidence in our workforce and our products."

"As Ontario's finance minister, it gives me great pride to welcome this fleet to the province," said Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh. "It demonstrates our government's dedication to partnering with manufacturers and purchasing vehicles made right here in our community."

"We're proud to work with the Windsor Chrysler plant to offer this made-in-Ontario economic solution," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "It's one which brings health care and people together with improved access to health care services and also helps the province in the process."

“This is an important investment in both Ontario health care and local manufacturing,” said Gary Switzer, CEO of Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

• The new van fleet will provide 135,000 rides for health-related services this year.

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