That's the position of the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance, which comprises 14 hospitals in Durham, York, Peel and Halton regions.

"Alliance hospitals aren't getting the help they need," Alliance chairman Kirk Corkery told Ajax council Monday.

After hearing from the group, council approved a motion calling on the Ontario government to "immediately address" the funding shortfall of $88 million being experienced by hospitals.

The Rouge Valley Health System, which serves Ajax, Pickering, and Whitby, and Lakeridge Health, with sites in east Durham, are members of the Alliance.

Tariq Asmi, the Alliance executive director, said three million people, or 25 per cent of the population in Ontario, reside in the GTA. "Into the future, we will continue to lead in population growth."

About 90,000 move to the four regions each year and that's the equivalent of Waterloo being added annually. "We're one of the top four fastest growing areas in North America," Mr. Asmi noted.

The number of seniors is also rising, he said.

"It's not white-picket fences where everybody is young. That's the image the Ministry of Health has and we have to dispel that myth," Mr. Asmi stated.

"We are where the people are and we can provide the care at a lower cost By providing the care close to home, we can save the system a tremendous amount of money."

Pointing to figures gathered from the Health Ministry's website, Mr. Asmi said millions of dollars annually could be saved if patients were treated at Alliance hospitals. More money would also reduce wait times for such procedures as hip or knee replacements, and cataract surgery.

According to The Fraser Institute, about $3.7 billion will flow out of the GTA/905 area to support services elsewhere.

"We should be getting around 30 per cent of the funding. We get around 10 per cent," Mr. Asmi added.

"Historically, the 905 region has suffered," Mr. Corkery said. "It's more than just money. It's not right for you to tell your constituents they have to go elsewhere for help."

More funding would mean people wouldn't have to travel into Toronto for treatment, Mr. Corkery stated.

"The inequity affects our growth and affects our vitality. Do you want to live in an under-serviced area?" he asked.