Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on Manitoulin Island yesterday with several ministers and local government leaders in tow to announce two major long-term care projects.
Work is underway to build two new long-term care homes on Manitoulin Island — the St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay and the Wikwemikong Nursing Home.
The homes will add a combined 40 new and 120 redeveloped beds to the community.
Both projects are recipients under the provincial Capital Funding Program (CFP) and are part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by creating good jobs and building for the future, while ensuring that long-term care residents receive the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.
“Our government is investing over $200 billion in our plan to build hospitals, long-term care, roads, schools and other critical infrastructure so we can create good-paying jobs, protect workers and families and guarantee high-quality services to the people of Ontario,” says Ford. “The announcement means 160 Manitoulin residents will have access to two world-class long-term care homes for decades to come.”
Once complete, St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay will include two resident home areas, designed to create a more intimate and familiar living space for residents.
The home will have 64 new, modern beds and feature services such as optometry, a hair salon and spiritual care.
The design will incorporate covered decks and extensive glazing that maximizes sunlight year-round.
A central bistro will overlook a new outdoor patio, while a garden will offer direct access to a secure courtyard with scenic views of Gore Bay and the East Bluff.
The home is currently under construction and is expected to welcome its first residents in 2027.
“Our government is improving access to long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff and protecting those who reside in them,” adds Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This marks a significant milestone for Manitoulin Island.
Once construction is complete, people will have access to two new homes where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”
The Ontario government is also supporting the redevelopment of Wikwemikong Nursing Home, a long-term care home on Manitoulin Island.
Ford and his contingent were also in Wiikwemkoong for the groundbreaking ceremony for a new long-term care facility there.
The new Wikwemikong Nursing Home will replace the community’s existing home and will be built on a new site in Wikwemikong First Nation.
The home will offer 96 beds to Indigenous residents so they can receive culturally appropriate care. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 after planning is completed.
“Our government is proud to work alongside First Nations to ensure that long-term care reflects the needs and values of the communities it serves,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “The redevelopment of the Wikwemikong Nursing Home is a demonstration of what partnerships can achieve — expanded, high-quality care provided for Elders in their community.”
Both facilities will be taking in residents from across Manitoulin Island, Espanola, and the North Shore Corridor.
