Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Canada will provide an additional $1.2 billion for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) project that includes a new hospital with administrative offices, staff accommodations and a dedicated Ambulatory Care Centre on Moose Factory Island.
The new Weeneebayko General Hospital will be relocated to Moosonee and once complete, will be able to serve the growing community and connect more residents to culturally sensitive program space in a larger structure.
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) awarded a contract for the development phase of the project to a team led by Pomerleau in January 2023. The team will also define and refine project requirements to advance the design and confirm fixed pricing.
The Government of Ontario also announced $44 million for the design and early works construction of a new, culturally appropriate health campus in Moosonee which includes the hospital and Elder care lodge, as well as a new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island – in addition to the nearly $1.3 billion Ontario has committed to the entire project.
“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,” said president and CEO Lynne Innes, Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
“With this additional provincial funding, contracts have now been awarded to support the early works construction that has started which involves the preparation of the site where the new hospital will be built, including the removal of existing soil over most of the site and replacement with crushed rock.
Once the development phase is complete, the parties will have the option to sign a P3 project agreement and proceed to the construction phase, which is expected to begin this year.
“The Ontario Government has been fully committed to our Redevelopment Project from the beginning and never wavered,” said Lynne Innes, president and CEO, Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. “The new healthcare campus in Moosonee and ambulatory care centre in Moose Factory, will be a critical step forward to address colonial legacies and the systemic racism that exists in the current health system.
“Meegwetch Minister Jones and Premier Ford for your efforts to make sure our voice was heard.”
The project also includes the construction of a new 32-bed Long-Term Elder Care Lodge that will allow Elders to receive the care they need within their communities. A new Ambulatory Care Centre will be built in Moose Factory to ensure residents on the island remain connected to care.