Several provincial budget items are directed specifically toward northern Ontario.
Seven-point-three million dollars will be distributed to eight training projects to train Indigenous people for in-demand jobs in critical sectors such as forestry, construction and healthcare.
Seven of the programs will be in northern Ontario.
On the healthcare front, $50 million will help northern and rural hospitals with staff recruitment and retention, and keep emergency rooms open.
The budget notes “northern and rural hospitals have exhibited remarkable resilience in the face of health system challenges, with these challenges disproportionately impacting patients who must travel extensive distances for medical care.”
There are also several programs to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous and Northern Community Supports.
The government says it will commit about $94 million over three years on culturally responsive and safe care tailored to the needs of these communities, such as public health, chronic disease prevention and maternal care.
This includes $60 million to help mental health and addiction services, $15 million for the delivery of Indigenous public health and $8 million on prevention initiatives targeting diabetes, smoking and chronic disease.
There are some enhancements planned for the Northern Health Travel Grant Program.
The accommodation allowance of $100 will increase an additional $75 per night for residents needing to travel from their home community to access medical services.
Critics had long stated the existing allowance was not enough to cover the rise in hotel/motel room rental costs.
The budget confirms a previous announcement to provide northern colleges and universities with an extra $10 million.
The government will also work with them to find efficiencies.
The province will also provide $4.5 million over three years in additional funding for the Victim Quick Response Program.
This will increase access to necessities for victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence and their families, especially those in Northern, rural and remote communities.
There is an increase in funding of a contingency fund to assist the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry with added forest firefighting costs.
The amount of $135 million is higher than the $90 million budgeted for the 2023-24 fiscal year, but the actual spending last was in excess of $226 million.
