Canada will provide funding to complete construction of a new hospital in northern Ontario that will primarily serve First Nations people following weeks of pressure from the federal NDP, First Nations leadership and the Ford government.
On Monday, the federal government announced $1.2 billion in funding for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Hospital Redevelopment Project. The new facility will replace the Weeneebayko General Hospital, located on Moose Factory Island on the south coast of James Bay.
"This is the completion of a project that has been long-standing and I'm very thrilled to be able to commit the $1.2 billion to Ontario so they can complete the project," Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters Monday in Ottawa.
Hajdu said the federal government has provided $200 million to the project since 2018.
However, when the federal budget was released in April, there was no mention of the money needed to complete the project, prompting calls for Ottawa to uphold its commitment to First Nations and see the project through.
This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Canada Day festivities across the pond
As Canadians celebrate the country’s 157th birthday this weekend, one of the biggest parties will take place across the Atlantic Ocean.
Will hit YouTube show Hot Ones' fall prey to cash crunch?
BuzzFeed's hunger for money spurs talk of sale
Britain races to the bottom on migration
Fed up with the Conservatives, some voters turn to the anti-immigration Reform party for answers
Grinding a milestone|
Canada reaches quarterfinals after a stressful draw with 10-man Chile
Chemistry on the court
Canadians believe time they've spent together will give them edge in Paris
Andreescu feeling stronger
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Bianca Andreescu is feeling fit as a fiddle, her body responding nicely to the rigours of punishing elite tennis after a 10-month injury layoff.
Arrivederci, Italy
Switzerland knocks out defending champion and advances to quarterfinals
Ready to run through the door
After a string of fourth-place finishes in relay, Canadian women are poised for a breakthrough
Russia steps up airstrikes
At least 12 dead in attacks in east as Putin's forces target populated areas
Life sentences for North York double killing
Toronto man now convicted of three murders by age 23