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Healthcare Access Concerns Rise Amid Niagara Housing Developments
Niagara Faces Healthcare Access Challenges As Housing Initiatives Advance. Premier Doug ford’s recent visit to Niagara to celebrate housing achievements was overshadowed by pressing concerns about healthcare access in the region. Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates voiced strong disapproval of Ford’s handling of the matter, particularly regarding the reduction of healthcare services.
Gates criticizes Ford’s response to Healthcare Reductions
Mpp Wayne Gates stated that Premier Ford failed to adequately address the critical issue of reduced healthcare access during a recent press conference focused on housing targets. According to Gates, Ford seemed unprepared to discuss the planned reductions in healthcare services in Fort Erie and Port colborne, set to occur this summer. These reductions are anticipated to further strain an already overburdened healthcare system.
The closures of urgent care centers for one day a week and on long weekends in Fort Erie and Port Colborne are a direct result of a severe physician shortage. Niagara Health reported 111 unclaimed shifts this summer, leading to this arduous decision. Ford acknowledged the situation, attributing it to the challenges of securing personnel during the summer months and highlighting the government’s $3 billion investment in the new South Niagara Hospital slated to open in 2028, which will then permanently close the urgent care centers.
Gates emphasized that healthcare is a paramount concern for residents, outweighing even the importance of meeting housing targets or infrastructure projects like the Garden City Skyway twinning. He believes that the premier does not fully grasp the severity of the healthcare situation in the region, especially considering the high volume of tourists and seasonal residents in areas like Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. The closure of Niagara-on-the-Lake Hospital roughly 10 years prior has exacerbated the present healthcare challenges and Niagara currently has some of the longest wait times in Ontario.
Housing Initiatives and provincial Funding
Ford’s visit also highlighted Niagara’s progress as a “hotbed” for growth and housing. At an event in St. Catharines, the province announced a combined $6.8 million in funding for St. Catharines, Welland, and Niagara Falls thru the Building Faster Fund. This funding rewards municipalities that achieve at least 80% of their provincially designated housing targets. The province has invested more than $19 million in the niagara region to support housing and infrastructure, which is on track to break ground on approximately 3,000 new homes in 2025.
In 2024, these three cities collectively broke ground on nearly 2,000 homes. Ford stressed the importance of provincial growth, especially in light of potential economic challenges from the United States. The Building Faster Fund, launched in August 2023, is a three-year, $1.2 billion programme aimed at accelerating municipal approval processes and increasing housing construction.
Municipal Perspectives on Funding
St. Catharines received $2,501,547 for achieving 85% of it’s housing target, with 782 new housing units underway. Mayor Mat Siscoe credited the city’s progress to the hard work and commitment of the council and also emphasized the importance of critical infrastructure such as water and transit projects. niagara Falls secured over $2.8 million for exceeding its housing target by 116%, breaking ground on 774 new units. Mayor Jim Diodati indicated that the funds will support a residential building with 300 to 400 units in the downtown area. Welland will receive almost $1.5 million for reaching 114% of its housing target, with Mayor Frank Campion planning to use the funds to support a $3.2 million overhaul of First Street.
Did You Know? The Building Faster Fund encourages municipalities to streamline approvals, directly impacting project timelines.
Additional Investments in Skills Advancement
The Ontario government also announced an investment of over $13 million through the Skills Development Fund training stream in Niagara Falls to assist over 9,000 workers and jobseekers in the Niagara Region, preparing them for in-demand jobs in construction, manufacturing, and food and beverage processing.
ford addressed various other issues during his visit, including crime in the Greater Toronto Area, tourism in Niagara, and the Garden City Skyway twinning.
