City Council Approves Partnership with Local Municipalities for Joint Healthcare Recruitment

Brockville – Due to rising concerns regarding the lack of local physicians and healthcare workers due to retirements and other pressures, the City has partnered with local municipalities to recruit more to the area.

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting councillors unanimously approved Brockville’s participation in a regional initiative of all thirteen Leeds & Grenville municipalities to employ Health Workforce Innovations to get to work on bringing new physicians and other professionals to our area.

Following a delegation regarding healthcare resource needs in November 2024, by local healthcare administrator Sherri Fournier-Hudson and former Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman. Council authorized the execution of a Joint Party Agreement for Healthcare Recruitment with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the Town of Gananoque and the Town of Prescott. Health Workforce Innovations Inc. have been retained by the municipalities that will focus on long-term physician and healthcare recruitment in Leeds and Grenville.

“It will be a challenging task, but I have every confidence that we have the right people, regional collaboration and a strong collective desire to deliver results for the many people who have struggled without access to primary care physicians. The project will also consider other related needs and provide elected officials with a roadmap to improve the situation we find ourselves in,” said Brockville Mayor Matt Wren

The proportional cost for the City for this service is 21.25% or approximately $40,000, in addition to costs associated as a result of successful recruitment.

“I’m very grateful for the overwhelming support from the Mayors and Councils of all the communities in our region who have agreed to make this project possible. Thank you to the municipal CAOs who have worked hard to sort out the details, Steve Clark for his advocacy, and the many residents who have reached out to share their thoughts and challenges. I look forward to seeing progress and results!” commented Mayor Wren