Modernizing Health Care Infrastructure to Support Safe and High-Quality Care for Patients

The Ontario government is investing over $2.1 million this year to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance in Newmarket and Aurora. This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million investment provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. It will ensure that patients can continue to access the care they need in safe, comfortable environments and that the local health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

Investments include:

• $185,615 for LOFT Community Services – Crosslinks Housing & Support Services to support upgrades in kitchens, electrical and flooring upgrades in two residential apartment buildings in Newmarket.
• $1,935,997 for Southlake Regional Health Centre for urgent projects that support the health system to enhance patient and staff safety.

“Upgrading and maintaining hospitals and community health infrastructure is one more way our government is ensuring Ontarians, including those who live and work in Newmarket-Aurora, receive exceptional care when they need it and closer to home,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These crucial investments in LOFT Community Services and Southlake Regional Health Centre will help build the capacity needed to end hallway health care, while ensuring our community has the tools to protect our progress and improve the quality of care for patients.”

The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. Funding from the province allows its health care system partners to address urgent infrastructure renewal needs such as upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and back-up generators. A total of $50 million from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will be used by hospitals for urgent projects, including those that support the health system response to COVID-19, such as upgrading HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, and improving infection prevention and control measures.

The government continues to make record investments to support world-class hospitals across the province and ensure the health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario. In March 2021, the government committed up to $696.6 million in funding to help cover historic working funds deficits and strengthen the financial stability of hospitals across the province.

Through the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, the government is providing a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments to hospitals in 2021-22. This includes funding to create more than 3,100 additional hospital beds to increase capacity, as well as an increase of $778 million in operational funding to ensure all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum 1 per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.

“We are grateful that the provincial government is providing much-needed funding for infrastructure upgrades and repairs to non-profit community health organizations like LOFT. For the people we serve, those who face complex combinations of mental health, addiction, physical health and homeless challenges, it means having a place that not only provides the health supports they need, but a place that feels like home. The funds will improve the well-being of 155 people in Ontario.” – Heather McDonald, CEO, LOFT Community Services

“Southlake serves some of the fastest growing and fastest aging communities in Ontario. Investments like this will help us enhance the resilience of our existing systems infrastructure and further support a safe environment for care as we continue to plan for a new Southlake. Specifically this funding will allow us to upgrade some essential components of our electrical infrastructure.” – Arden Krystal, President and CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre

QUICK FACTS

• Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs to patients across the province, including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied health care such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy, and programs and services delivered by a public health unit.
• The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
• For 2021-22, Ontario has increased the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund by three per cent.
• The government is investing more than $22 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for health infrastructure projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in health infrastructure.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Investing in Health Care Infrastructure Upgrades and Repairs
• Ontario Supporting Hospitals with Additional Funding During COVID-19
• Improving Health Care in Ontario
• Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain
• Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine web page to view the latest provincial data and information on COVID-19 vaccines.
• Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 information website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from the virus.

MEDIA CONTACTS
MPP Christine Elliott Office: 905-853-9889
Contact: Dawn Gallagher Murphy
Email: dawn.gallaghermurphy@pc.ola.org