Province says investment will bring “world-class care” closer to home for Kenora, Sioux Narrows and nearby First Nations; NOMA, Treaty #3 partners hail milestone
KENORA – HEALTH NEWS (Oct. 15, 2025) — The Ontario government is investing $50 million to advance planning for a new Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) in Kenora and $1.9 million to support the redevelopment and expansion of the Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care long-term care home on the future campus of care. The province also confirmed a prior $7.6 million investment that delivered Kenora’s first MRI suite, now fully operational at LWDH and serving patients across Northwestern Ontario.
“Our government is investing more than $60 billion to build hospitals across our province,” said Premier Doug Ford. “More than 30,000 patients who rely on the hospital every year will have access to world-class health care now and for generations to come.”
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones called the planning funds “an important milestone” to expand critical programs and services in Northwestern Ontario. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and MPP for Kenora—Rainy River, said the All Nations Hospital and Wiigwas projects reflect leadership and collaborative partnerships guided by partnering nations.
“At the heart of the All Nations Hospital project and Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care Home is leadership and collaborative partnerships,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and MPP for Kenora—Rainy River. “Through the guidance of all partnering nations, we are delivering the expanded care needed in Kenora, surrounding First Nations and beyond. This is truly a magnificent announcement for our region and I thank and congratulate everyone who will be building out this facility.”
What the New Hospital and Campus Will Deliver
When completed, the new LWDH is expected to replace the current facility and expand local access to:
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Modernized Emergency Department, mental health unit, and transitional care
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Indigenous health spaces and expanded ambulatory care
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Enhanced diagnostics, including dedicated space for the new MRI
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Renal and cancer care services
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Three operating rooms, a procedure room, post-anesthesia recovery, and a pre-admission clinic
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Upgraded infection prevention and control measures
Wiigwas Elder & Senior Care: 160 Beds Planned
The redeveloped Wiigwas home is planned for 160 beds (64 new, 96 redeveloped) reflecting the unique needs of the region’s Indigenous community. The project is in planning and eligible for additional funding under the province’s Capital Funding Program (CFP), with construction expected to begin next year, said Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta.
MRI: First for Kenora, More Capacity Province-Wide
Kenora’s first-ever MRI suite at LWDH is now operational, part of Ontario’s plan to increase imaging capacity by funding 50 new MRI machines in 43 hospitals and adding 100,000 more MRI/CT scans annually at community centres to reduce waits to 28 days province-wide.
Regional Leaders Welcome the Commitment
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Chief Chris Skead, Acting Board President, Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA): The campus reflects collaboration, reconciliation and equity, creating connected programming for physical, mental and spiritual care.
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Jennifer Dreaver, Executive Director, Ogimaawabiitong (KCA): The project will impact the next seven generations, guided by Elders and consistent advocacy; it advances Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action through partnership with LWDH.
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Cheryl O’Flaherty, President & CEO, LWDH: The investment modernizes health infrastructure and closes gaps in access for Northwestern Ontario.
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Andrew Poirier, Mayor of Kenora: A community investment built on inclusive, long-term collaboration with KCA, LWDH and the City.
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Rick Dumas, President of NOMA and Mayor of Marathon: A milestone that strengthens Indigenous-led partnerships and delivers care closer to home.
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Fred Mota, NOMA Executive VP and Mayor of Red Lake: A direct investment in people—seniors, families, and the future of the region.
Quick Facts
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The Ministry of Health and LWDH will complete early planning (bed counts, square footage). A construction schedule will be confirmed after tender and award.
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Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care is a not-for-profit licensed to Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care, formed under the leadership of the Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
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As of October 2025, 148 projects representing 24,101 new and redeveloped long-term care beds are completed, under construction or approved.
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Over the next 10 years, Ontario plans to invest nearly $60B to build/upgrade hospitals, including 50+ major projects and ~3,000 new beds.
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Ontario’s Capital Funding Program (CFP), launched July 2025, continues record construction levels in long-term care.
