Owen Sound Requests Provincial Support to Address Family Doctor Shortage at ROMA

Representatives from Owen Sound and Grey County met with provincial officials today to discuss the region’s health care needs during the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference.

Owen Sound Councillor Jon Farmer and Fire Chief Phil Eagleson joined Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs and County Councillors Kevin Eccles and Warren Dickert in a delegation to Anthony Leardi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Health.

The delegates noted the need for regional collaboration to address the pressure points created by emergency room wait times and a shortage of family physicians.

The City of Owen Sound requested provincial support for the creation of a new doctor-led nurse practitioner clinic. This alternative delivery model would help more families to connect with a family doctor and reduce pressure on our emergency rooms.

Grey County requested the Ministry of Health commit to providing enhanced operating and capital funding to the Hanover and District Hospital in recognition of the additional demands placed on it due to the reduction in service at the Durham and Chesley sites of the South Bruce Grey Hospital Corporation.

The delegation also noted positive developments in region-wide collaboration for physician recruitment.

Attendees are optimistic that future discussions with provincial officials regarding the proposed solutions will be initiated from today’s meeting.

The ROMA conference took place in downtown Toronto, from January 19 to 21, 2025.

Quotes:

"These collaborative discussions with provincial officials demonstrate our City’s commitment to improving healthcare access for our residents, and I'm encouraged by the productive dialogue about addressing our physician shortage and emergency room pressures.” - Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy

“Conference delegations are a great opportunity for municipalities to speak with Provincial officials about important local issues. Timely access to healthcare is of critical importance to the wellbeing of Grey County residents and we‘re thankful for the opportunity to voice our concerns and advocate for solutions.” - Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs

Quick Facts:

• As of March 2023, there were 4,664 Owen Sound residents seeking a family doctor, as per the Health Care Connect registry.
• The rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, ROMA advocates for policies and programs that will help build thriving rural Ontario communities. ROMA takes pride in promoting, supporting and enhancing strong and effective rural governments. About 270 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities have populations of less than 10,000, while scores more are rural in character.

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For more information, please contact:

Phil Eagleson, Owen Sound Fire Chief at 519-376-2512 or email peagleson [at] owensound.ca (peagleson[at]owensound[dot]ca).

Rob Hatten, Grey County Communications Manager at 519-373-1592 or email rob.hatten [at] grey.ca (rob[dot]hatten[at]grey[dot]ca).