Ontario Investing $3.86 Million in Hospital Upgrades and Repairs in the City of Kawartha Lakes

Issued by the office of Laurie Scott, Member of Provincial Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, on August 11, 2026: https://lauriescottmpp.com/ontario-investing-3-86-million-in-hospital-upgrades-and-repairs-in-the-city-of-kawartha-lakes/

$266.2 million invested to support critical infrastructure upgrades at hospitals across the province

KAWARTHA LAKES — The Ontario government is investing $3,866,243 to complete upgrades and repairs at the Ross Memorial Hospital, creating a safer, more comfortable space for people and their families to connect to care and services, close to home. This funding is part of Ontario’s broader investment of over $266 million through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) to support infrastructure upgrades, maintenance and repairs at 126 hospitals across the province.

“The $3.86 million Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund investment is welcome news and demonstrates our government’s continued commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure in our communities,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. “This funding will support critical upgrades at the Ross Memorial Hospital, including improvements to aging roof systems, water distribution systems, heat exchangers, HVAC pumps, and sanitary waste and vent piping. These investments will help ensure the hospital can continue delivering high-quality care in a safe, reliable, and modern environment.”

The Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund enables health-care system partners to address their urgent infrastructure needs including upgrading or replacing roofs, windows, security systems, and fire alarms. Since 2024, the Ontario government has increased funding through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund by10% each year, allowing even more hospitals to complete upgrades and repairs in a timely manner.

“This significant investment in Ross Memorial Hospital’s infrastructure from the Government of Ontario will help us maintain a safe, reliable, and welcoming environment for our patients, staff, and community,” says Veronica Nelson, President and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital. “Through the renewal of critical building systems and maintaining of adequate infrastructure, this funding strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional care today while supporting the long-term sustainability of our hospital into the future.”

“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in the City of Kawartha Lakes can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will enable the Ross Memorial Hospital to address priority infrastructure needs so patients and their families can continue to access vital services and care in their community.”

Over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $64 billion in major health infrastructure. This is part of the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, which will deliver approximately 3,000 new hospital beds to enhance access to quality care and build a connected, people-first health-care system.

Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is expanding and modernizing hospitals and building new health-care facilities, making it faster and easier for people of all ages to connect to the high-quality care they need, where and when they need it.

QUICK FACTS

• This allocation includes $3.5 million in a one-time funding through Exceptional Circumstances Project Grant (ECP) to be used to replace sections of the hospital’s aging roofing systems, helping to protect the facility and ensure long term integrity.
• The investment will support the replacement of key mechanical equipment, including chilled water distribution system, heat exchangers, and HVAC pumps. As well as other interior projects, including the replacement of worn floor finishes in selected areas of the hospital.
• These upgrades will enhance safety, improve the patient and visitor experience, and support the ongoing maintenance of a clean and modern healthcare environment.
• The funding will allow for the replacement of aging sanitary waste and vent piping systems, an important infrastructure improvement that will help ensure the continued reliability of essential hospital services and reduce the risk of unexpected system failures.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
• Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care

 

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