The NHS last week released a report about how it planned to eliminate its operating deficit.

If approved by the oversight group which governs it, the emergency departments in Fort Erie and Port Colborne will be closed, surgical services at those hospitals will be eliminated, and maternity services will be moved from Niagara Falls and Welland hospitals to the new hospital being built in St. Catharines.

"I say relegate this report to the recycling bin and instead examine whether the current base hospital funding is appropriate for Niagara's growing senior population," Hudak said. "Only then can the NHS best determine how to deliver services to its communities.

Former Minister of Health George Smitherman in the past told the Niagara Health System to get it financial house in order.

In December, a hospital ministry spokesman noted the NHS's pending deficit for this year comes despite the fact the system's base budget from provincial funding -- currently $350 million a year -- has been increased by $80.8 million or 39 per cent in the last four years,

The NHS received an extra $3.3 million earlier this year, money that was meant to cut surgical waiting times. Also this year, it was given an extra $1.2 million for infrastructure work such as upgrades to fire alarm systems and to improving heating.

Hudak, the current MPP for much of the west end of Niagara, formerly represented the Fort Erie area.

He sent a letter to Health Minister David Caplan last week asking him to shelve the NHS report.

"Instead of asking the NHS to cut $15 million from its budget through dramatic service reductions, shouldn't the Ministry of Health be asking a more appropriate question: are Niagara residents receiving funds adequate to meeting their hospital care needs?" he wrote to the minister.

"The average household in these Niagara communities is paying more than $500 a year in so-called health taxes, but has seen a reduction in local services."