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Watch it balloon. The budget for the new P3 hospital in Brampton has gone from $165 million to $325 million to $550 million. And the consortium slated to build and operate the hospital is asking for an extra $22 million before closing the deal.

An internal hospital document blames the rising costs and delays on a legal action launched by CUPE, the Ontario Health Coalition and other unions over the secrecy and higher costs of P3s. But the OHCs Natalie Mehra says higher costs are just what you get from P3 deals. When the project becomes more risky, you pay for that extra risk I bet their (borrowing) costs have increased.

Pressure is mounting on the Ontario government to break the deadlock. But even the pro-P3 government is concerned by the rising costs. The government has indicated a ceiling to the amount of support were prepared to provide for this badly-needed new hospital in Brampton, and thats an amount were sticking with, says Health Minister George Smitherman.

The hospital was originally scheduled for completion in fall 2005. That date has been pushed back to spring 2007.