HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-14
Electronic Council Communications Information
Package
Date:February 14, 2025
Time:12:00 PM
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Pages
1.Region of Durham Correspondence
2.Durham Municipalities Correspondence
3.Other Municipalities Correspondence
3.1 Fort Erie - Provincial Election Health Care Advocacy - February 12, 2025 3
4.Provincial / Federal Government and their Agency Correspondence
5.Miscellaneous Correspondence
5.1 Hydro One is funding impactful initiatives with the 2025 Energizing Life
Community Fund - February 13, 2025
29
February 14, 2025
Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP)
Page 2
Legal and Legislative Services
February 12, 2025
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
premier@ontario.ca
The Honourable Sylvia Jones,
Minister of Health
5th floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Sylvia.Jones@pc.ola.org
Honourable and Dear Sir and Madam:
Re: Provincial Election Health Care Advocacy
The Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its Special Council meeting of February 11,
2025 passed the following resolution:
Whereas the Town of Fort Erie submitted a letter to the Minister of Health dated August
7, 2024, advocating for the continuation of the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre as
a primary care safety net in the community, which has not received a response, and
Whereas the Province of Ontario has appointed Dr. Philpott as the Chair of the New
Primary Care Action Team to develop a strategy to address the shortage of primary care
physicians with a mandate to attach all Ontarians to primary care in the next five years
(2030), and
Whereas the Town of Fort Erie has a population of 36,000 residents, with over 8,000 who
are unattached to a primary care physician, demonstrating a need for a primary care
safety net locally, and
Whereas the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre provides a first point of contact with
our health care system for Niagara residents without a primary care physician, which will
continue beyond the opening of the South Niagara Hospital in 2028, and
Whereas the Council for the Town of Fort Erie passed a resolution on October 21, 2024
requesting a continuation of funding for Douglas Memorial operations, without reduction
of any funding to Niagara Health for construction and operation of the new South Niagara
Hospital, and that the Premier support that resolution, and
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Mailing Address: The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie
1 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie ON L2A 2S6
Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (905) 871-1600 FAX: (905) 871-4022 Web-site: www.forterie.ca
Page 3
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Page two
Now, therefore, be it resolved,
That: The Town of Fort Erie Mayor and Council requests a response from the Premier of
Ontario and the Minister of Health regarding submissions by the Town of Fort Erie,
including letter dated August 7, 2024, the Town of Fort Erie Rural Ontario Municipalities
Association presentation to the Ministry of Health, Parliamentary Assistant, Anthony
Leardi, the resolution passed by the Town Council on October 21, 2024, and the Niagara
Health resolution that the Town of Fort Erie presented to the Niagara Health Board on
January 28, 2025, and
That: The Town of Fort Erie Mayor and Council requests that the Province of Ontario put a
moratorium on the closure of urgent care centres and the implicit removal of primary care
health services from the Town of Fort Erie and all small and rural communities in Ontario
until Dr. Philpott’s mandate is complete to ensure that all Ontarians are attached to a
primary care physician, and;
That: This resolution and the information it references be forwarded to Niagara’s local
MPPs and all candidates seeking election in Niagara and circulated to the Rural Ontario
Municipal Association and all Ontario municipalities.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Ashlea Carter,
Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Town Clerk
acarter@forterie.ca
AC:dlk
c.c: Niagara Region MPP’s wgates-co@ndp.on.ca ; JStevens-CO@ndp.on.ca ; JBurch-QP@ndp.on.ca ;
sam.oosterhoff@pc.ola.org
Candidates Seeking an Election in Niagara info@niagaratinting.com; dumelie.gary@gmail.com;
shafolikapur@ontarioliberal.ca; wayne.gates@ontariondp.ca; contact@ruth-ann.ca; greenteam@gpo.ca
Rural Ontario Municipal Association roma@roma.on.ca
All Ontario Municipalities
Attachments:
The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Letter – August 7, 2024
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier and The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Letter – October 22, 2024
Rural Ontario Municipalities Association presentation to the Ministry of Health, Parliamentary Assistant, Anthony Leardi –
January 21, 2024
NH Board Resolution – January 28, 2024
Page 4
Office of the Mayor
WAYNE H. REDEKOP
August 7,2024
The Honourable Sylvia Jones,
Minister of Health
Sth floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Svlvia. Jones@pc. ola.orq
Honourable and Dear Madam
Re: Urgent Gare Centre, Fort Erie
I appreciate the challenges that you and your Ministry face as you endeavour to ensure
that every resident of Ontario has timely, effective and meaningful access to primary health
care. I also appreciate the interest that you have taken in the specific issues that challenge us
in Fort Erie as we attempt to establish a model that will address the need of our residents to
access primary care.
The Town of Fort Erie Council recently passed a resolution calling on you and Niagara
Health for a commitment to continue the operation of the Urgent Care Centre at Douglas
Memorial, in Fort Erie, following the opening of the South Niagara Hospital as our primary care
safety net until a viable and sustainable alternative is in place in the community. I attach a
copy of that resolution. This resolution has also been supported by the City of Niagara Falls,
the City of Port Colborne and the Niagara Region.
The Town administration has been working with localfamily physicians, other health
care providers, Bridges (the local Community Health Centre), the lndigenous community,
Niagara Health, the Niagara Ontario Health Team and Ontario Health West to identify the
specific service needs of our residents, the resources that we can rely on to meet our
residents' needs and establish the model that will ensure that the primary health care,
diagnostic and associated services are in place for the long term. As the community continues
to grow, the Town is taking necessary steps to ensure that all residents will be rostered with a
family physician, including continued support for a local Physician Recruitment lncentive
program. As you can imagine, this is a significant investment and a moving target that is
elusive for municipalities across Ontario. Fort Erie estimates that over 7,000 residents are
unattached to a primary care physician and all of our 34,000 residents rely on the Urgent Care
for primary care health issues. Hence the absolute importance of the Urgent Care Centre at
Douglas Memorial continue its operation as our primary care safety net.
....t2
Mailing Address: The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie
1 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie ON L2A 256
Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (905) 871-1600 FAX: (905) 871-4022 Web-site: www.forterie.ca
Page 5
The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Page two
ln July 2023, Niagara Health reduced the hours of operation of the UCC in Fort Erie
(and Port Colborne) from 24 hours to essentially 10 hours (10 a.m. to I p.m.). This has
jeopardized the access to primary care not only of unrostered patients, but for all residents of
our community after available family physician working hours. The implications seem
predictable: greater pressure on the Emergency Departments in Niagara Falls and Welland,
lower acuity health issues using Emergency and EMS as a first point of contact, greater
demand on Emergency Medical Services and offload delay pressures, delayed medical
attention by those with transportation or other logistical challenges which make it difficult to
seek medical service at a distance. All of these have financial impacts that erode the ability of
the hospital system to provide the services required by residents. I believe that it is unlikely
that the new South Niagara hospital will eliminate these concerns.
lnsofar as Niagara Health is responsible for the operation of our UCC at Douglas
Memorial, we understand the need to maintain a fruitfulworking relationship with it.
Accordingly, NH has participated in our Community Health Care Services Committee and in
meetings with other health care providers as we search for the model for primary care that will
meet our community's needs. Regretfully, NH has recently decided that it will no longer
participate in the committee or any meetings in which the Town of Fort Erie is represented for
reasons best known to it. Furthermore, it removed the invitation to Fort Erie's Chief
Administrative Officer and Health Services Coordinator to attend a recent meeting (Aug 2nd)
with Ministry representatives, Ontario Health West, Niagara Health, the Niagara OHT and
other health service partners, without an explanation to the attendees. This was very
embarrassing and concerning to us and brings into question NH's ability to gain public trust
and confidence as our publicly funded hospital, but more significantly, it raises community
concern about its ability to understand the dynamic between operation of the UCC and our
quest to find a long-term primary care solution for our residents.
We look forward to your consideration to commit to the continuation of the Urgent Care
Centre beyond 2028, as our primary care safety net or until a viable and sustainable
alternative is in place.
Yours very truly,
ayor
WHR:dlk
Attachc.c C. McQueen, Chief Administrative Officer
Rede
Page 6
Town of Fort Erie - Resolutions
Regular Gouncil
Agenda Number:
Resolution No.
Title:
Date:
16.2.
14
Councillor McDermott
Monday, May 27,2024
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Councillor McDermott
Cou ncillor Christensen
Whereas Niagara Health has received approval from the Provincial Government to build a new South
Niagara Hospital in Niagara Falls that will provide a range of emergency and acute care services, and
Whereas the shortage of primary care physicians in Fort Erie results in over 7,000 residents being
unattached (unrostered) to a family physician, and
Whereas the Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre at Niagara Health's Douglas Memorial site provides a
primary care "safety net" for the community and serves as a first point of health care contact for both
attached and unattached residents who cannot receive time-sensitive primary health care, and
Whereas the Provincial Government is attempting to reduce EMS offload delays and eliminate hallway
medicine arising from low acuity patients who would be better served by primary care physicians or an
Urgent Care Centre providing access to the primary care "safety net", and
Whereas the viability of the health care and hospital systems in Niagara are dependent on all residents
having time-sensitive access to primary health care;
Now therefore be it resolved,
That The Town of Fort Erie advocate to the Minister of Health and Niagara Health for a commitment to
continue the operation of Urgent Care Centre at Douglas Memorial in Fort Erie following the opening of
the South Niagara Hospital as the primary care safety net until a viable and sustainable alternative is in
place in the community, and further
That This resolution be sent to the Niagara Region and Niagara's local area municipalities for their
support and endorsement.
Canied
Page 7
Legal and Legislative Services
October 22, 2024
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
premier@ontario.ca
The Honourable Sylvia Jones,
Minister of Health
5th floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Sylvia.Jones@pc.ola.org
Honourable and Dear Sir and Madam:
Re: Request Provincial Funding Remain Available to Support Fort Erie’s Primary Care
Initiative
The Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its Council meeting of October 21, 2024
unanimously passed the following resolution:
Whereas the Douglas Memorial Hospital was built primarily with funds left by the estate of
William Douglas on his death in 1929; and
Whereas the Douglas Memorial Hospital (“the Hospital”) opened for operation in 1931; and
Whereas the Hospital operated in the black during all of it years of operation (1931- 1998)
as a full-service hospital under the management and guidance of its own Board of
Trustees; and
Whereas the Health Services Restructuring Commission (“HSRC”) recommended in 1998
that Douglas Memorial continue operation as a hospital within the new Niagara Health
System (“NHS”), with acute and chronic care beds, emergency and ambulatory services and
a range of diagnostics; and
Whereas despite the creation of a standing committee of the NHS Board for Fort Erie,
pursuant to recommendation of the HSRC, to assure local input into Board decision making
and that no decision to eliminate any inpatient or emergency services would be made
unless approved by such standing committee, the NHS embarked on a systematic reduction
or elimination of various services at the Hospital until the adoption by the NHS of its
“Hospital Improvement Plan” (“HIP”) in 2008; and
Whereas pursuant to the HIP the NHS eliminated emergency and all other health care
services at the Hospital in 2009, with the exception of a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre
(“UCC”), chronic care beds, palliative care beds and some diagnostics, without the approval
of the Hospital standing committee; and
../2
Mailing Address: The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie
1 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie ON L2A 2S6
Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (905) 871-1600 FAX: (905) 871-4022 Web-site: www.forterie.ca
Page 8
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Page two
Whereas in July 2023 Niagara Health (“NH”), as it is now designated, reduced the hours of
operation of the Hospital UCC to 12 hours, although the public only has access to the UCC
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; and
Whereas NH has recently adopted a 3 hospital model for the future of hospital services in
Niagara that intends to completely close the Hospital, resulting in no urgent, chronic or
palliative or diagnostic services in Fort Erie once the new South Niagara Hospital is opened
in or about 2028; and
Whereas the most recent population data available indicates that Fort Erie’s current
population is 36,200, far greater than projected during deliberations with respect to Niagara
Region’s new Official Plan, adopted in July 2022; and
Whereas the Niagara Region’s population is growing at a rate far greater than anticipated
by the Province or NH, particularly when projections were being made for the hospital needs
of South Niagara when planning for the new South Niagara Hospital; and
Whereas there are over 7,000 Fort Erie residents unattached to a primary care physician,
necessitating a primary care “safety net”, such as a UCC or alternative to avoid first point of
health care contact at local emergency departments; and
Whereas the UCC at Douglas Memorial forms that primary health care “safety net” in the
absence of sufficient primary care physicians or service providers in Fort Erie; and
Whereas the removal of UCC services, chronic care beds, palliative care beds and
diagnostics from the Hospital will result in an unreasonable and unnecessary hardship for
current and future residents of Fort Erie and will foreclose the use of the Hospital as a safety
valve for NH patients anywhere in Niagara in the event the new South Niagara Hospital is
unable to meet the demands that the increasing population of Niagara will place on it; and
Whereas a prudent approach to managing the hospital and health care needs of Niagara,
particularly South Niagara and Fort Erie, would recognize the value of retaining a fully-
operational UCC, with diagnostics and clinics, as well as chronic care and palliative care
beds at the Hospital; and
Whereas there is no indication that NH has any intention of changing course on its 3
hospital model for Niagara despite requests by the Town of Fort Erie to continue the
services available at the Hospital; and
Whereas the residents of Fort Erie need and deserve equitable primary health care
services, including 24-hour Urgent Care and associated services;
Now therefore be it resolved,
1. That the Council for the Town of Fort Erie requests that the Minister of Health commit to
funding all necessary services at the new South Niagara hospital without the removal or
reallocation of operational funding from the Douglas Memorial for the UCC and other current
health services, and further
…/3
Page 9
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health Page three
2. That the Council for the Town of Fort Erie requests that the Minister of Health direct any
and all funding from the Province of Ontario for the operation of the UCC (primary care),
chronic care beds and palliative care beds, and all diagnostic and associated s ervices at
Douglas Memorial remain in Fort Erie for use by Niagara Health as part of a revised hospital
model for Niagara or an alternative model operated by a qualified designated health care
services entity working in collaboration with the Town of Fort Erie should NH close Douglas
Memorial as a hospital site, either before or following the completion and opening of the new
South Niagara Hospital, and further
3. That: the Mayor and Town of Fort Erie staff enter into discussions with the Minister of
Health and Niagara Health and such other health care providers as deemed appropriate to
ensure the continued operation of primary care and other current services at Douglas
Memorial, with or without the involvement of NH, and further
4. That: the Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Ford, be requested to support this
initiative, and further
5. That: a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Premier of Ontario, the Honourable
Doug Ford; the Ontario Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones; the Prime Minister of Canada, the
Honourable Justin Trudeau; the federal Minister of Health, Mark Holland; the four MPPs and
MPs who represent Niagara; the Niagara Region and the other 11 local area municipalities
in Niagara for support.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Peter Todd,
Manager, Legislative Services / Town Clerk
ptodd@forterie.ca
PT:dlk
cc: The Honourable Justin Trudeau, Premier of Ontario Justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
The Honouable Mark Holland, Federal Minister of Health mark.holland@parl.gc.ca
Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO, Niagara Health, Lynn.Guerriero@niagarahealth.on.ca
Niagara Region MPP’s wgates-co@ndp.on.ca; JStevens-CO@ndp.on.ca; JBurch-QP@ndp.on.ca;
sam.oosterhoff@pc.ola.org
Niagara Region MP’s Vance.Badawey@parl.gc.ca; tony.baldinelli@parl.gc.ca; Chris.Bittle@parl.gc.ca;
dean.allison@parl.gc.ca
Niagara Region
Local Area Municipalities
Page 10
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIEPresentation to:
Anthony Leardi, Parliamentary Assistant
to the Minister of Health
January 21, 2025
Page 11
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE2
• A leader in community Health Care
• Investing in our community
• Community profile
• Our Issue
• Our Challenges
• Current Impacts on access
• How the Province can help
• Progress with Niagara Health
• Indigenous Health Services
OverviewOverview
Page 12
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE02
A Leader in Community Health CareA Leader in Community Health Care
Community Collaboration
• Creation of a Community Health Care Services Committee with representation from
Regional Public Health, Niagara Health System, Primary Care Physicians, Fort Erie
Native Friendship Centre (initially established in 2003, first of its kind in Ontario)
• Conversion of former fire hall into medical clinic (underway)
Physician Recruitment
• Promoted establishment of family group practice in clinics
• Secured 4 new physicians in past 5 years – 2 new physicians in 2022/23
• 1 new physician recruitment pending
• Recent policy changes allowing streamlining and credentialing for certified
physicians is removing barriers to repatriate or relocate practices to Canada.
• Attended UK/Ireland repatriation recruitment with Niagara Region
Physician Retention
• Facilitating a local family physicians network (Community of Practice)
• For over 20 years have provided physician retention incentives to
address planned retirements
Education
• Partnership funding – Rural Medicine Week, Student Assistance
Programs, Clerkships
Programs
• Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health, Memory Clinic
• Mobile clinics – Cancer Screening, Dental Services, REACH Mobile Bus
Page 13
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE03
• Community Health and Wellness has been a Council priority since
1999/2000 and took on critical importance in 2008 when Douglas
Memorial Hospital was converted to an Urgent Care Centre.
• Council’s 2023 – 2026 Corporate Strategic Plan was unanimously
supported with an enhanced focus to secure and enhance essential
health care services in Fort Erie when new South Niagara Hospital
opens (2028).
• Since 2012, the Town has invested over $2.7 million in
health- related services, as well as contributions to the
Community Health & Wellness Reserve (since 2019 -
$885,000).
• Council committed $3 million to the South Niagara
Hospital and $150,000 toward Hospice Niagara’s 10
bed hospice residence to be built in Fort Erie.
Investing in our CommunityInvesting in our Community
Page 14
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE04
• Fort Erie has a population of approximately 36,000 persons. It has the perfect mix of rural
and urban settings – a lot of green space but within close proximity to international airports
and larger city centres.
• Approximately 5% of our population identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit).
• Over 156 new businesses have opened since the start of the pandemic (March 2020)
• Strategically situated on the Canada/USA border, from a trade standpoint, Fort Erie is
important as one of North America’s busiest gateways. Presently about 14% of
all Canada-US trade crosses at Fort Erie with access to a U.S. population
of over 44 million within a daily trucking distance, including 9 marine ports
of entry/exit.
• From an immigration standpoint, Fort Erie plays an important role in
welcoming newcomers, working with many service providers and the
Fort Erie Multicultural Centre in providing settlement programs and
services.
• Thousands of visitors are attracted to the beautiful sandy beaches
in Fort Erie. Our Bay Beach Master Plan improvements make the
experience at our most popular beaches even better and accessible.
More than 86,000 annual visitors come to the beach and tens of
thousands of others come for the boating, fishing, bird-watching and
cycling opportunities.
• Fort Erie continues to be identified as a strategic location for investment by
Invest Ontario and Niagara Economic Development.
A Growing, Diverse CommunityA Growing, Diverse Community
Page 15
• Currently, 8,000 Fort Erie residents are not rostered to a family physician in Fort Erie or not receiving
care at all. *
• First point of care for unattached and many attached residents is Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre;
however, service hours were reduced from 24 hour care to 10 hour care (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.),
effective July 5, 2023.
• Fort Erie Urgent Care has served the community as appropriate first point of contact for lower acuity
health issues (for both attached and unattached residents - 36,000) and it is considered a primary
health care “safety net”.
• Niagara Health plans to close the Fort Erie Urgent Care in 2028, with the opening of the new
South Niagara Hospital. Without a first point of contact “safety net” for low acuity health conditions,
residents will go to the emergency department or call EMS.
• Primary Care was identified as a priority by the province, leading to the appointment of Dr.Philpott to
address this issue.
*Ministry of Health Statistics, 2024
Our Issue:Our Issue:
Page 16
06
392 392NIAGARA OFFICIAL PLAN November 2022 APPENDICES
Appendix 2 - Urban Expansion Areas and Future Employment Areas
392 NIAGARA OFFICIAL PLAN
Page 17
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE07
• Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre (UCC) needs to be
available 24/7 post 2028 (when South Niagara Hospital opens)
OR until an alternate plan to secure primary care services
is in place for our growing community.
• Town is working with local health service partners,
Niagara Ontario Health Team, local family physicians and
Community Health Centre (CHC) to collaborate on an EOI
Interdisciplinary Care Team (ICT) submission as an interim
measure to address primary care physician shortages. Fort
Erie UCC remains as a critical primary care “safety net” to
avoid emergency room crowding.
• Fort Erie is prepared to support Niagara Health as a credible and
sustainable health care provider to oversee a local health service
solution after 2028. Such a solution breaks down health care silos,
facilitates continuity of care, and reduces pressures on hospitals (e.g. ED
overcrowding; EMC offload delays) by addressing primary care access in the
community.
Our Challenge:Our Challenge:
Page 18
08
Current Impacts on Access Current Impacts on Access
Page 19
2025 ROMA PRESENTATION2025 ROMA PRESENTATIONTOWN OF FORT ERIETOWN OF FORT ERIE09
• The release of the “Your Health: a Plan for Connected and Convenient Care”
includes a statement by the Minister of Health, as follows:
“Our goal is to make health care more convenient for
Ontarians by connecting you to care closer to home
… we will continue to prioritize making it easier for
you and your family to connect to the care you
need… we are focused on connecting you to the
care you need, when and where you need it.”
With the recent appointment of Dr.Philpott, the
Minister also added
“There’s no one I trust more than Dr. Philpott
with her considerable experience to keep moving
us forward and get us across the finish line of
connecting everyone in the province to more convenient
primary health care within the next five years. Doing so
will have enormous benefits for people’s health and wellbeing, as well as the
province’s health care system by reducing pressures on emergency departments.”
Statement by the MinisterStatement by the Minister
Page 20
10
• Niagara Health publicly stated that they are not in the primary care business.
• They confirmed plans to cease operations of the Fort Erie
Urgent Care Centre upon the opening of the South Niagara
Hospital.
• They plan to allocate primary care spending dollars
from Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre to operations at
South Niagara Hospital.
• Niagara Health has excluded town staff from local
health services discussions and has withdrawn
their participation on the Fort Erie Health Services
Committee.
Progress with Niagara Health:Progress with Niagara Health:
Page 21
11
• Request that Niagara Health restore and continue Urgent Care hours/operations
in order to provide continued services to our residents and with
consideration to meet the primary and incidental health care
needs for the growth that our community continues to
experience.
• Provide Niagara Health with the required operational
funding for the new South Niagara Hospital so that
current primary care funding for the UCC remains in
our community to address primary care needs.
• Work with Town, Niagara Health, the Indigenous
community and local physicians to develop a funded
Fort Erie Health Services Model that will provide
essential, sustainable and reliable first point of contact
primary care health services to all residents (attached
and unattached) beyond 2028.
How the Province can help:How the Province can help:
Page 22
12
How the Province can help:How the Province can help:
• Continue to review/update the new practice agreement for family physicians to
remove barriers that would discourage a collaborative primary care facility model
(e.g. distance between members/clinics, funding caps) and increase incentives or
create attractive conditions for family physicians to work after hours at UCCs.
• Address health care as “one envelope” of funding vs. fractured health funding
envelopes (primary care, hospitals, EMS, public health, home and community care,
etc.)
• Continue to advocate for additional seats on health and medical professional
training programs - opportunities for post-secondary training in Fort Erie (FEIA/
Sheridan/Niagara College).
Page 23
13
Indigenous Health ServicesIndigenous Health Services
Challenges:
• Indigenous community and clients already experience access to care issues. The
potential closure of the Douglas Memorial Hospital and access to urgent care present
more barriers to access.
• Mainstream and conventional models of health services offered through Niagara
Health System (NHS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) do not meet specific needs of
Indigenous community and clients.
• Lack of physicians especially those familiar with holistic medicines.
• Lack of addiction services/harm reduction services that align to
Indigenous healing journey.
• Child care pressures.
• Housing pressures.
• Transportation accessing programs out of Town is a barrier for many.
Page 24
14
Indigenous Health ServicesIndigenous Health Services
Success with Indigenous-led Services:
• Wellbriety -12 week program based on Medicine Wheel Teachings that connects
addiction and recovery services offered at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre
facilitation in circles that begin the healing journey using a holistic approach with
a mental health component (Niagara Health System does not provide support for
this model). While main stream addiction services is well-intentioned, it can be
more dangerous for Indigenous people to participate in these programs and lead to
additional health crises.
• Under the Rainbow Childcare Centre is open to all Fort Erie
residents and currently has a large wait list due to its popular
programming.
• Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre has undertaken
training their own ECE workers to compliment the
Childcare Centre and Head Start program.
• Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre is represented on the
Town’s Community Health Care Services Committee and
other municipal committees, and brings thoughts and ideas
that help plan for the future of the community and Indigenous
Health Services.
Page 25
15
What the Province can do to helpWhat the Province can do to help
• Support the Town’s request to continue operation of the Urgent Care Centre (UCC)
beyond 2028 as a local primary care access for the Indigenous community as part
of Fort Erie’s primary health care “safety net”. The Town’s request has also been
supported by the Niagara Region, City of Niagara Falls, and City of Port Colborne.
• Encourage the inclusion of the Ministry of Health and Niagara Health System in
facilitating health services specific to Indigenous Health.
• Encourage the acceptance of addiction services/harm reduction with more of an
Indigenous lens that will assist with the healing journey.
• Consider support for the expansion of child care services at Under the Rainbow,
provided through the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.
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Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to share with you the commitment that
the Town continues to make in addressing community health care needs and discuss with
you the importance of all Fort Erie residents having equitable access to comprehensive,
community-based, innovative health care.
Mayor Wayne H. Redekop
Councillor Joan Christensen
Councillor George McDermott
Chris McQueen, Chief Administrative Officer
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Whereas, the Town of Fort Erie has clearly stated its position that the community requires a
primary health care “safety net”, currently provided at the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre,
that should responsibly continue operation in Fort Erie until a viable alternative is in place.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that,
That the Niagara Health Board of Directors instruct Niagara Health representatives to re-engage
with the Town of Fort Erie Health Services Committee to assist with local health and community
service discussions; and
That Niagara Health commit to include the Town of Fort Erie Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer,
Community Health Services Coordinator and/or Director of Community Services in all discussions
regarding local health services that impact the Town of Fort Erie; and
That the Niagara Health Board of Directors advocate to the Minister of Health to commit to the
operational funding for all necessary services at the new South Niagara hospital without the
removal or reallocation of operational funding from Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre (primary
care services) to allow the continuation of the UCC and other current health services beyond 2028
or until a sustainable alternative is established; and
That the Niagara Health Board of Directors advocate to the Ministry of Health to direct all existing
provincial funding for the operation of the Douglas Memorial UCC (primary care), chronic care
beds and palliative care beds, and all diagnostic and associated services to remain in Fort Erie for
use by Niagara Health as part of a revised hospital model for Niagara or an alternative model
operated by a qualified designated health care services entity working in collaboration with the
Town of Fort Erie should Niagara Health close Douglas Memorial as a hospital site, either before or
following the completion and opening of the new South Niagara Hospital ; and
That the Niagara Health Board notify the Town of Fort Erie of its decisions with respect to the
above resolutions.
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From:Chambers, Michelle
To:Chambers, Michelle
Subject:Apply now: Hydro One is funding impactful initiatives with the 2025 Energizing Life Community Fund
Date:February 13, 2025 1:43:19 PM
Attachments:Image_20250210_123404_858.png
From: Community Relations Inbox <community.relations@hydroone.com>
Sent: February 10, 2025 12:58 PM
To: Gallagher, June <JGallagher@clarington.net>
Cc: CAO External Address <cao@clarington.net>
Subject: Apply now: Hydro One is funding impactful initiatives with the 2025 Energizing Life
Community Fund
EXTERNAL
Hello Mary-Anne,
I am writing to inform you that Hydro One is now accepting applications for the 2025
Energizing Life Community Fund. Please share this information with the Mayor and
members of the Council.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Hydro One’s Energizing Life Community Fund supports
wellbeing in communities where we live, work and play. Since 2020, recipients have
provided critical services to local communities through a variety of programs: affordable and
safe childcare for Ontario’s farmers, food banks supporting Indigenous communities, and
addressing senior social isolation.
You’re an incredible advocate within your local community, and we need your help.
Page 29
Do you know a charitable organization, Indigenous community or municipality in your region
that’s driving positive change and promoting wellbeing within Ontario?
Encourage them to learn more about the fund and apply for the opportunity for
$25,000 in funding here: www.HydroOne.com/EnergizingLife
The attached images can be shared on social media, to help promote this exciting
opportunity, along with suggested social caption copy.
With so many incredible charities and community organizations providing critical
services in [CITY/RIDING/AREA)], let’s encourage them to apply for up to
$25,000 in funding through [tag Hydro One]’s 2025 Energizing Life Community
Fund: Apply before March 17, 2025 here: www.HydroOne.com/EnergizingLife
Do you know a charitable organization, Indigenous community or municipality
doing great things for Ontarians? Encourage them to apply to [tag Hydro One]’s
2025 Energizing Life Community Fund for the opportunity to receive $25,000.
Visit: www.HydroOne.com/EnergizingLife. Applications close March 17, 2025.
Below is Hydro One’s various social handles to include when sending to your
network, if they do in fact post and tag us
Facebook: @HydroOneOfficial
Twitter: @HydroOne
Instagram: @HydroOneOfficial
LinkedIn: Hydro One
Thank you for your support and we look forward to reviewing the applications and
reading about the incredible work organizations are doing across the province.
With care,
Hydro One Community Relations
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