Building An Aboriginal Health Hostel In Thunder Bay

November 12, 2010

McGuinty Government Enhances Access To Health Care, Creates Jobs

Aboriginal clients who stay in a new hostel in Thunder Bay will also have access to health care services like prenatal care and traditional healing.

With assistance from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), Wequedong Lodge of Thunder Bay is converting a former adult education centre on Balmoral Street into a fully accessible hostel. The lodge will also provide services such as translation and transportation services to clients from remote Northwestern Ontario First Nation communities. This project will create 10 new jobs.This initiative is part of the government’s five-year Open Ontario plan to provide quality health care and create jobs in Northern Ontario.

“Our government is helping to improve the valuable services Wequedong Lodge offers, adding to the quality of life of First Nation members accessing much needed health care services in Thunder Bay.”
– Michael Gravelle
Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and chair of the NOHFC

“By investing in the construction of this project, we are helping to provide affordable accommodation and other services to Aboriginal clients during health care visits in Thunder Bay.”
– Bill Mauro
MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan

QUICK FACTS

> Ontario is providing a $1 million to this project through the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program.
> The hostel will be equipped with dining facilities capable of accommodating 130 guests.
Since 2005, the NOHFC has contributed nearly $218 million under this program in more than 440 projects across the North.
> Ontario also provided $3 million to this project earlier this year under the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services First Nation, Inuit, Métis Urban and Rural Program.

LEARN MORE

> Learn about the NOHFC’s programs
> Read about Wequedong Lodge

CONTACTS

Priya Tandon
Minister’s Office
416-327-6761
priya.tandon@nullontario.ca

Michel Lavoie
Communications Branch
705-564-7125
michel.lavoie@nullontario.ca