Canada announcing funding to build the WAHA hospital

From: Indigenous Services Canada

News release

June 17, 2024 — Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible of FedNor is announcing is announcing today an additional investment of $1.2 billion for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Hospital Redevelopment Project.

Funding towards the redevelopment project will serve the 12,000 people in the Weeneebayko region, providing them with fair access to quality healthcare services closer to home. This includes the construction of a new hospital facility, administrative offices, staff accommodations and a dedicated Ambulatory Care Centre on Moose Factory Island.

Canada is also accelerating investments to make health and safety improvements to the existing Weeneebayko General Hospital facility. As the redevelopment project progresses, this will ensure that patients in the Weeneebayko region have access to essential healthcare services, as close to home as possible.

This federal funding, which will be flowed through the Province of Ontario and WAHA, will ensure that Indigenous Peoples and patients in remote northern Ontario communities have the healthcare services they need now, and into the future.

Everyone in Canada deserves fair access to quality health care – regardless of who or where they are. This announcement is moving us closer to making this a reality for First Nations. It also represents a critical step on the path to reconciliation.

Quotes

“We have been clear since the beginning that the Federal Government would be there to get this hospital built. This $1.2 billion announcement will help First Nations in Northern Ontario have fair access to quality healthcare. Thanks to the leadership of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, the 12,000 people in the Weeneebayko region will have the services they need closer to home."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services Canada

“We welcome the federal government's commitment to fund the completion of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Hospital. This marks a significant step forward in fulfilling a longstanding promise. However, the delay in prioritizing the health and well-being of First Nations highlights the urgent need for culturally informed care that upholds First Nations inherent and Treaty rights and our right to self-determination.

Moving forward, we expect the government to continue fulfilling its commitments to First Nations by ensuring transformative change towards First Nations-led health care programs and services. This includes sustainable funding, increased capacity and improved healthcare facilities that are strengths-based and culturally informed.”

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
Assembly of First Nations (AFN)

“For far too long, First Nations people in the Weeneebayko area region have lacked access to quality health care, with the current hospital a stark reminder of the disparity in care and ongoing impacts of colonialism.  This investment from the Federal Government means that the Redevelopment Project is no longer in jeopardy, and we are taking a significant collective step to ensure that community members can get the services they need in a culturally responsive way, and closer to their loved ones. Earlier in May, I said that this project was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to right a wrong of the past, and I’m happy to see that the Redevelopment has finally been supported in full.”

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler
Nishnawbe Aski Nation

“In the spirit of truth and reconciliation I am thankful and appreciate Canada in fulfilling their commitment to our new healthcare campus in Moosonee and ambulatory care center in Moose Factory. This is a pivotal step to ensuring the health, safety, and dignity of our First Nations communities. We look forward to working closely with Minister Hajdu and her team to bring this long overdue project to fruition."

President and CEO Lynne Innes
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority

Quick facts

  • Through Budget 2018, the Government of Canada committed to provide a contribution of $158.4 million to support the construction of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Hospital Redevelopment project to serve the health needs of remote and isolated James Bay communities.

  • Historically, the former hospital was used as a tuberculosis sanitorium and residents of this area were not provided adequate access to culturally safe and quality healthcare as a result of the long-standing impacts of colonialism.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Jennifer.Kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
media@sac-isc.gc.ca

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