May 24, 2024

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Hajdu,

We are writing to you today to add our voice and support to the calls by the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and Ontario hospital CEOs regarding the need for the federal government to urgently fulfill its promised financial commitment to support the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority’s (WAHA’s) infrastructure redevelopment project.

As you already know, WAHA plays an essential role in delivering care to the northern Indigenous communities of James Bay and Hudson’s Bay, namely members of the Cree First Nations. The redevelopment plan, announced in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and Infrastructure Ontario, is vital as a modern facility is urgently needed to support WAHA’s important work of providing high quality culturally appropriate health services.

HealthCareCAN, as the national voice of hospitals, health research institutes, health authorities and healthcare organizations, is very concerned that the financial status of the WAHA project is now uncertain because promised federal financial support was not included in the 2024 federal budget. Support from the federal government is essential to ensure work on this project continues and achieves its critical and necessary outcome: to improve access and provide better care to the people of the region.

HealthCareCAN is available to discuss this issue further should you have any questions.

We hope that you will move expeditiously to address this critical and time-sensitive situation. We look forward to your timely response.

Yours sincerely,

Paul-Émile Cloutier
President and CEO, HealthCareCAN

Dr. Michael Gardam
Board Chair, HealthCareCAN