Council of Canadians questions motive behind $1M donation to QEH

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital should not accept a recent $1-million donation by Irving-owned Cavendish Farms, says the P.E.I. chapter of the Council of Canadians.

Council vice-chair Leo Broderick saidhe is gravely concerned about the contribution.

The company has already statedit wants the moratorium on high capacity wells on the Island lifted, and he questions the motivation behind the donation.

"Usually when a corporation makes a donation, it is looking for something in return," said Broderick.

"We believe that this is simply another way to put the pressure on the government to lift the moratorium on high capacity water wells."

Broderick acknowledged it's unlikely the hospital will do as the council is requesting, but the group iswriting a letter to the premier recommending the province set up a policy about accepting these types of corporate donations.

A commitment to health care

"On behalf of our employees, Island growers and suppliers, Cavendish Farms has made this donation as our commitment to the best possible health care on P.E.I.," Cavendish Farms said in a written statement to CBC News.

"We are proud to support the dedicated team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the important work that they do."

The donation is going to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Endowment Fund. Donations to the fund earn interest, which helps pay for medical equipment each year.

The newly-expanded surgical support services area is now called the Cavendish Farms Same Day Surgery Unit.

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