ANDY’S PLACE GETS FUNDING FOR 4 NEW BEDS AS MUSKOKA RETURNS TO NORTHERN HERITAGE FUND

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — In a flurry of funding announcements today in the lead up to this week’s election call, the province says it will pay for four more beds at Muskoka Hospice-Andy’s Place in Port Carling.

The details are forthcoming for the end of life health care provider that  has struggled to meet financial challenges.

And the province has returned Muskoka to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. The latter alone gives access to an additional $10 million per year over the next three years.

A release says the province is investing in Muskoka-area businesses and communities by expanding Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) programming eligibility to the District of Muskoka.To meet the programming demand across the north, the government is also increasing the annual NOHFC funding allocation by $30 million over the next three years. This sustained funding increase and expansion will support continued economic development in the north.

“I’m thrilled that Muskoka is joining the NOHFC service area,” said MPP Graydon Smith. “This is a huge moment that unifies the region when it comes to economic development funding and opportunities. This has long been asked for by local businesses, community organizations and municipal governments.

“With Muskoka now onboard, and the entire NOHFC area receiving more dollars to work with, amazing things will follow in Parry Sound–Muskoka and Northern Ontario.”

It’s been a major priority for Smith from Day 1, says his riding staff.

The NOHFC fosters economic growth, job creation and workforce development throughout the North, benefiting communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities. The $30 million funding increase will bring the NOHFC’s annual budget to $110 million beginning in 2025-26, enabling the corporation to support additional projects across Northern Ontario and address the impacts of inflation.

“We are listening to our northern partners. , which is why we are increasing the annual NOHFC funding allocation and expanding programming eligibility,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development.

This as Monday the province also said it will invest $1.8 billion to connect two million more people to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team within four years, which will achieve the government’s goal of connecting everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care team.

This includes $1.4 billion in new funding, alongside more than $400 million in already-approved funding for primary care.

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