Main photo: Premier Doug Ford (fourth from left) is joined by (from left) Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith, MAHC interim president and CEO Vickie Kaminski, Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott, and Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller for a funding announcement at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital. (Tamara de la Vega)
Sunday was a good day for people who live in Muskoka and East Parry Sound as well as for those who have seasonal homes here.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Huntsville to announce that planning for the phased development of both hospital sites in Muskoka will move into phase two with additional funding for this purpose of $14 million.
According to a Ministry of Health media release, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare “has received government approval to implement this phased redevelopment, meaning this important project is part of the government’s 10-year capital plan.”
No doubt, there are many details to work out, and I had hoped that the announcement would be a little more definitive concerning these, but on the face of it, as long as both sites are full-service acute care hospitals—perhaps with different specialties, but neither subordinate to the other—this is very good news. This is amplified by a response to a media question to Premier Ford when he said that the eventual capital cost for each site would be about $500 million.
It has been a long road to get here. While many deserve credit and others will seek it, a great deal of it belongs to Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith and former Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison.
People will no doubt remember the concern, the acrimony, and the infighting of the last several years concerning the future of hospital care in Muskoka. There was a push for a single hospital located in either Bracebridge or Huntsville with heavy lobbying on both sides for where it would be located. There were consultations, committees, and information sessions with competing agendas and points of view.
The board of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) was deeply divided along partisan lines. Once a single-site hospital began to fade as an option, the board recommended two hospital sites, one to provide acute care and the other to provide ambulatory care and specialize in geriatric issues. It did not take a rocket scientist to conclude which site would go where and the resulting implications for long-term hospital care in Muskoka.
Through all of these recommendations, conjecture, and debate, Graydon Smith and Scott Aitchison, as mayors of their respective communities, stood steadfastly together in demanding two acute care hospitals, one in Bracebridge to serve South Muskoka and one in Huntsville to serve North Muskoka and East Parry Sound. They relieved the partisan pressure, rallied the troops, influenced public opinion, and let both the MAHC board and the Province know exactly where they stood.
Subsequently, the board of MAHC, under the leadership of Cameron Renwick both as vice chair and chair of the MAHC board, recommended to the Province that Muskoka continue to have two updated acute care hospitals. The mayors of both Bracebridge and Huntsville, including Karin Terziano when she succeeded Scott Aitchison, continued their strong advocacy for an equal two-site model for hospital care in Muskoka. And so, here we are today. It is a time to celebrate.
There will be critics to this announcement, of course, especially with a provincial election looming. Just watch Opposition leaders jump on this with accusations of Ford looking after his friends especially in a place he has his cottage, ignoring other perceived priorities, and basically buying votes in the upcoming election and so on. They will, in my view, make much fodder of this announcement.
In fact, happy as I am at this initiative by the Ford Government, I am surprised at its timing. All political parties make promises at election time and all governments, of all stripes, hand out the goodies and make funding announcements when campaigning for re-election. However, in my experience, usually these funding announcements are made in areas where the governing party needs an edge to win a particular riding. They are usually strategic in nature, cold-blooded decisions made to win ridings that are up for grabs.
Parry Sound-Muskoka is not one of those ridings, however. If it is, then the provincial Conservatives are in deep doo-doo all across the province. That will be wishful thinking for some, but the polls don’t indicate that, and I don’t believe that.
At election time, no riding is really “safe” but some are safer than others—and for the Conservatives, Parry Sound-Muskoka is one of those. A little more than a month from the election, there is almost no visibility here of the two main opposition parties. It is a bellwether riding for the Tories—not one to be taken for granted, but also not one that needs multi-million-dollar announcements purely for election purposes.
So why is this announcement taking place now? My guess is Ford’s campaign honchos aren’t all that happy about it, wanting instead to direct their resources elsewhere. There is little upside to the campaign. Barring a disaster, they will likely win this riding in any event. There is a downside, however: providing fuel to Opposition parties who will be only too happy to ignite it.
I think the answer to that question is: that is the type of person Doug Ford is. He isn’t, in my view, a typical politician. He actually returns phone calls, he listens to people’s concerns, and sometimes he does things just because he believes it is the right thing to do, regardless of the consequences.
In this instance, Premier Ford has a good working relationship with Graydon Smith, Scott Aitchison, and Karin Terziano. He knows how hard they have worked to support two acute care hospitals in Muskoka. He knows that both hospitals, in their present state, are past their best-before dates. He is also likely aware that delaying this announcement until after the election could put Muskoka hospitals behind commitments made in the election campaign, in terms of priority.
And so he has done what he believes needs to be done and is the right thing to do, and damn the torpedoes.
For that, we should be thankful.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Tom Pinckard says
After many years, even more brawls, and a lot of blood sweat and tears by so many commited and indefatigable volunteer believers, we finally have the long awaited confirmation that there will continue to be 2 acute care hospitals in Muskoka and East Parry Sound, not one.
Congtratulations, and thank-you to you all!
The Nathalie Bulbulia Taj Mahal bites the dust!
Sven Miglin says
It is absolutely the right decision to maintain and redevelop the 2 acute care hospitals we currently have. Muskoka will always need 2 acute care hospitals. There were (are) many people responsible for ensuring the Province reached this decision. To all of them, a very big thank you.
I appreciate that it will take years to accomplish what needs to be done but at least we’re headed down the right road.
For our Hospital, for our Town, it has been a very good day.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Mackenzie, I wouldn’t count my chickens before they’re hatched. Where will the money come from?
For-profit sector? I wonder if we will be a Provincial test site for more ‘for-profit health care’.
I see the plan includes opening some previously closed beds -those closed beds during the Harris Conservative years. Wondering why they can suddenly afford more beds, when the Harris years were all about “right-sizing” health care. Timely announcement before Provincial election, pardon my skepticism.
Does this indicate some concern over Conservative win in Parry Sound-Muskoka?
Anna-Lise Kear says
DF’s happy place and the place he shines is municipal politics, hence the returning of phone calls. That gives him satisfaction. That may make him “personable” but not competent in self-awareness of his own limitations, some poor judgement in choosing the best advisors, and most significantly, planning and acting on sound advice during a crisis.
Reminder: during the Conservative 2018 campaign, hardly any party platform was announced. When taking office, SURPRISE!, DF Conservatives plan to cut 1 billion dollars from the public health budget over 10 years (which included closing public health offices across the Province) – a huge step backwards, even before a pandemic.
So, DF Conservatives can promise what they want. Where is the money which couldn’t be found previously, going to be found now? Will there be a balancing of the budget by reliance upon for-profit investment? Again, look at the performance of LTC large for-profits when the legislated oversight from government is absent/lacks teeth and the outcomes.
What the DF years have brought into question is the Conservative’s claim for prudent fiscal management? Really?
Hugh Mackenzie says
Anna-Lise: It is very clear that you do not like Doug Ford, never have and never will. Believe me, we get that. You are certainly entitled to your point of view. Nevertheless, the announcement by Ford is a significant step forward in relation to hospital care in Muskoka and extremely welcome news in Huntsville, especially with the clarity that our community will have a redeveloped primary care hospital here. That is pretty important too!
Dale Hajas says
While I don’t have much use for Mr. Ford, neither am I under the illusion that he needs to ‘buy’ Muskoka votes. The Conservatives have us tied up for the foreseeable future – proven in 2019 when we couldn’t get the best Liberal candidate since Andy Mitchell elected as MP to represent this riding.
So….I choose to take Mr. Ford at his word and to to be happy that there will continue to be two acute care hospitals in Muskoka.
Thank you to all of those who fought the good fight and made it happen – not immediately maybe – but in time to benefit our children and grandchildren.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Mackenzie; though my focus is provincial, it is important to be aware of Provincial Conservative policy leanings towards privatization. Muskoka is not immune. Where the money is coming from and where/how it is invited into the health care sector is of reasonable concern to many, including people who live and work in Muskoka.
“Dangers in privatization of the care economy”, P. Armstrong, M.G. Cohen, L. Ritchie, A. Yalnizyan (Toronto Star, April 26, 2022) notes:
“In Ontario under Doug Ford this (privatization) is already happening as his government quietly expands the for-profit share of publicly funded care….
Sixteen thousand (16, 000) long-term-care beds were recently licensed to for-profit facilities and more are in the works despite the widespread evidence of appalling conditions of work and care in many of these homes. Some of the companies whose licenses were renewed presided over some of the worst outbreaks and death counts of the pandemic.”
“This privatization by stealth is a consequence of the government’s failure to address major shortages in health care personnel and in-care services, which were creating backlogs even before COVID 19.”
“Privatization of public services also occurs when services are not covered by public funding, are bundled with ones that are, so getting access to any care becomes an issue of your ability to pay, not your need for care.”
Starve the public system, claim you can’t balance the budget and privatize. DF years are MH years, a bit more hidden. So, by all means respond to the positive local health care news, Mr. Mackenzie – but please ask the question – who pays for this? I suspect the answer is, we do by privatizing healthcare.
Two-tiered TC must be pleased.
What I ask voters to do is to remember the Conservative response during COVID 19 and what could/should have been done to mitigate the losses of residents, of staff. If you vote Conservative, keep your eyes Wide Open and be on the Alert as to how this affects you and yours.
Paul Whillans says
Hugh: Its clear that you like Doug Ford always have and always will. This impairs your ability to give a critical eye to anything he does. One year ago in the budget of 2021, the Ford Government laid out a (the) 10 year capital plan which included 30.2 BILLION allocated for hospitals. That works out to some $2000 for every man, women and child in Ontario. Your “great day for Muskoka and East Parry Sound just gave us 14 MILLION of that committed money from a year ago……working out to $225 per man, woman and child in the riding…..thus this safe Conservative seat is being short changed some $1775 per capita….unless you believe Mr Ford’s empty musings about more than a BILLION being ear marked for Muskoka Hospitals……I say empty because no government, this one or any other is going to spend $20 Million per bed in hospital renovation or construction (the Osler Network just got $21 Million to create 250 beds, Trillium Health Network got 3.4 Billion to close TWO sites and build a new 1300 bed hospital). Nothing in your “great day” has any bearing on reality.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Mackenzie; for every reader very tired of reading yet another post from me, there are people going through the experience of having poor access to home care services, LTC services due to staffing illness, shortages. Shortages in hospitals happen and put an incredible burden on those working in all departments.
Not only is this a result of neglect for many years, but the very poor planning response during COVID by the Conservative government.
There will be those who have had limited access to health care because they cannot pay for what they need.
My voice crying/complaining in the wilderness is understood in the Province and in Muskoka.
Patrick Flanagan says
So Premier Ford promises 2 hospitals and $14 million for planning. Gullible people applaud and say “I’m voting for Ford!!” Then there is an election. If Ford loses, his promises become irrelevant. If he wins, there is a sudden realization that the government has no money and, before a penny of the $14 million is spent, the project is put on hold and is forgotten until the next election date draws near. Rinse, repeat.
Allen Markle says
So it is decided! There will be 2 hospitals built in Muskoka; one in Bracebridge and one in Huntsville!
Just like that! No question? This was announced as part of a Conservative 10 year capital plan. To the tune of around a billion dollars! We talk billions now , I suppose because millions are so……..minimal.
Could anything untoward happen in 10 years? I think we elder souls have heard the talk before. In 10 years there will be at least 2 elections, and lots of plans get flushed after an election. I’m not saying that will happen; just that I’m a little too jaded to believe any politician. Especially around an election.
To assert that our seasonal cottager need not worry about losing Muskoka/Parry Sound is puzzling. When you look at the housing that hasn’t been forthcoming, the wages that linger in the doldrums and my personal disdain for ‘buck a beer’, it’s curious that the area would want a conservative around!
If the Liberals should organize and offer a viable, voter approved plan for the province (couldn’t hurt to have one) and assume power. What then?
We may have a new, Bracebridge oriented MPP, who could renew his efforts to cut Huntsville out and go for the whole billion!
The new mayor in Huntsville may not choose to be as forward or forceful as needed to present or protect our town’s views and needs.
I think maybe we should wait and hope for the best. This is politics; anyone who thinks otherwise might end up “back-stabbed, door slammed and dog bit”. (George C. Scott)
Better to wait until the doors open, the lights are on and there are nurses and doctors in both buildings.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Markle; this is just a suggestion, a thought. I am unaware that a local Liberal candidate has yet to be named and stand to be corrected on this. I have seriously considered the Greens – local candidate known, as a voting strategy to give the Conservatives pause. There are those disenchanted Conservatives who are choosing Greens to put “Progressive” back into the Progressive Conservative identity.
Clearly the Greens will not win a majority – however, if there is a minority Conservative government installed, then their representation can be meaningful in important legislation, along with other opposition parties.
What do you think? How do you see the political landscape in Parry Sound- Muskoka?