The Ontario government announced $175 million in funding for urgent upgrades, repairs and maintenance to 131 hospitals on December 18.

Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, was at Niagara Health – St. Catharines Site to make the announcement. The money will be provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

Details of the specific funding available to each hospital were not available. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care indicated that the details would not be finalized until the new year.

During her remarks, Elliot indicated that Niagara Health would receive nearly $1.7 million. The money would be used for projects that will increase the reliability of the electrical backup systems in case of a power failure—including retrofitting a switch gear breaker, as well as refacing the building and replacing the roof.

"These investments will help ensure that patients in Niagara and across Ontario can receive the care they need in a safe and comfortable setting," said Elliott. "Seemingly small things like well-functioning roofs, windows or heating and air conditioning systems, fire alarms and backup generators can make the world of difference to a patient's experience. This funding will help ensure that hospitals across Ontario are able to make the needed upgrades and improvements, so patients and families have access to the reliable, quality care they expect and deserve."

Additional information suggested that Ottawa-area hospitals will receive more than $14 million, including $7.3 million for the Ottawa Hospital, while Hamilton-area hospitals will receive nearly $9 million.

"Ontario has a plan to build a connected and sustainable public health care system centred around the needs of patients, including investing $27 billion over 10 years in hospital infrastructure projects," said Elliott. "Maintaining hospital infrastructure is one more example of how we are working towards ensuring that Ontarians have the health care services they can depend on while building the capacity we need to end hallway health care."

In addition to the funding envelope, Elliot announced that the province will update its hospital naming directive. Going forward, hospitals will no longer be required to obtain approval from the Minister of Health prior to adopting new corporate or business names. It is expected the change will facilitate increased donations to hospital foundations for major upgrades and development.

"Philanthropic giving is an essential part of hospital funding in Ontario and the generosity of individual donors has helped shape the health care system as it exists today," said Anthony Dale, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association. "Donor naming opportunities benefit the entire community, providing investments in hospital infrastructure, equipment and programs that patients need and allowing for growth and innovation in hospitals that could not otherwise occur."

To ensure that any changes to corporate or business names respect the interests of local communities, Ontario has provided each hospital with a clear set of expectations related to hospital naming activities. These include developing and putting in place a naming policy and ensuring meaningful consultation with stakeholders and the local community, among others.