FONOM calls on province to fund Hope Air, calling it a ‘vital service’ for northern Ont.
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is the latest organization to call on the Doug Ford government to re-open dialogue with an airline service that transports lower-income Canadians to crucial medical care far from home.
FONOM wants to see a resolution passed to ensure northerners still have access to the service, called 'Hope Air.'
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is the latest organization to call on the Doug Ford government to re-open dialogue with an airline service that transports lower-income Canadians to crucial medical care far from home. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
To protect northern Ontarians struggling with their finances who need specialized health care in southern Ontario, FONOM is calling on the province to adequately fund the charity airline service.
"There’s a young lad currently in Timmins that’s using the service and I’ve spoken to people in Kapuskasing and all across northern Ontario," said FONOM president Danny Whalen.
Hope Air is Canada's only national charity that offers free travel and accommodations for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care in different cities far away from where they live.
The service has provided flights across the country for people since 1986. It currently serves about 75 communities in the northern section of the province.
But for the first time in its history in Ontario, Hope Air can’t keep up with the growing demand.
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is the latest organization to call on the Doug Ford government to re-open dialogue with an airline service that transports lower-income Canadians to crucial medical care far from home. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is the latest organization to call on the Doug Ford government to re-open dialogue with an airline service that transports lower-income Canadians to crucial medical care far from home. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
"This year’s we’ll provide over 3,500 travel arrangements and that’s primarily air flights, but also hotel accommodation, Uber rides and airport meal support," said Hope Air CEO Mark Rubinstein.
"That’s going to represent over 1,000 patient escorts."
Hope Air gets financial assistance from all of the provinces, except one: Ontario.
"We contacted the ministry about 14 months ago," Rubinstein said.
"We did have an exchange of information in the spring and we provided them some detailed statistics around our work in assisting patients who live in northern Ontario. We really haven't heard back from them since then."
Rubenstein expects demand will only grow in the next couple of years.
"People who are nonetheless struggling financially, the Northern Health Travel Grant provides some reimbursement," he said.
"But the remaining out-of-pocket expenses are still in the thousands of dollars that’s become unaffordable for a lot of people."
Whalen said several FONOM members have growing concerns with the "lack of dialogue" between the Ministry of Health and Hope Air’s request for multi-year funding from the government.
"The financial ask they’re after is not a big number," Whalen said.
" (Hope Air) advised us that they’re currently looking at what services they can reduce due to lack of funding. It’s a very vital service."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
In a statement to CTV News on Monday afternoon, the ministry writes in part that it recognizes the "unique health-care challenges faced by residents in northern and rural communities."
"Our conversations and work with Hope Air are not over and we will continue to work together on a path forward that will ensure all Ontarians can access the care they need when they need it, no matter where they live."
The province said that through the Northern Health Travel Grant, the government supports more than 66,000 people each year who need access to specialized care.
Recently, the Ford government announced an additional $45 million in the travel grant to expand and improve services, such as increasing reimbursement amounts and simplifying the application and submission form.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada says 'tough conversations' ahead as Trump's new border czar calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he agrees with the incoming American border czar that there will be 'tough conversations' ahead surrounding the shared border.
Trump makes a victor's return to Washington and pledges a 'smooth' transition of power from Biden
Donald Trump made a victor's return to Washington on Wednesday, visiting the White House for a nearly two-hour meeting with President Joe Biden and committing to a straightforward transition of power as the president-elect moves quickly to build out his new administration.
'You couldn't open the door': Concerns over awareness of and access to Tesla emergency latch after 4 killed in Toronto, 5 killed in Wisconsin
When a Tesla crashed on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto last month, the first people on scene knew there were occupants inside but couldn't immediately get them out.
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Overwhelmed families in Ontario are having to surrender their children to the Children's Aid Society, and according to the society, the residential crisis is part of the problem.
BREAKING Republicans will retain House majority, CNN projects, completing GOP’s dominance of Washington
Republicans have secured their monopoly on power in Donald Trump’s new Washington, retaining their majority in the House of Representatives, CNN projected Wednesday, after picking up seats in California and Arizona and ushering in a dramatic new era of right-wing populist rule.
Guns and drugs seized from organized crime group linked to Mexican cartel, RCMP say
Members of the RCMP’s federal police say they have arrested three men in B.C. for their alleged role in a 'transnational organized crime group' connected to Mexican drug cartels importing cocaine into Canada.
Mississauga, Ont. upholds ban on street sports, including hockey and basketball
Mississauga city council has voted to keep its residential street sports ban in place, meaning hockey and basketball on the road will remain out of bounds.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Guardian quits X social media platform, citing racism and conspiracy theories
British news publisher the Guardian said on Wednesday it will no longer post to X, citing 'disturbing content' on the social media platform, including racism and conspiracy theories.