Province offers construction subsidy to long-term care facilities planning to build
Four years ago, the Golden Manor embarked on a provincially mandated plan to upgrade its current nursing home in Timmins.
A lot has changed since then, including a global pandemic and a new administrator.
Now, Lia Fontana said she couldn't be happier to know plans can resume, potentially with financial assistance from the province.
“On top of the base subsidy that the ministry already provides, they’re allowing an additional $35 per bed, per day, per year, for 25 years," said Fontana, administrator for the Golden Manor.
"So if you do the numbers with the number of beds that the Golden Manor has, that could be up to $60 million in additional funding.”
On Friday, the Ford government announced long-term facilities can apply for the construction subsidy to help their projects get off the ground next year.
“The ones that we had previously announced can continue to be built," said Paul Calandra, minister of long-term care, in an interview with CTV News.
"It’s well over 11,000 beds that we have in the pipeline over the next year that we want to get built and we didn’t want the current inflationary issues that are facing so many people to stand in the way of doing that.”
City officials said they're getting close to deciding who will be hired to construct the new building.
Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau said a spring start date is still anticipated.
“One of the first orders of business will be awarding the project to a contractor. So we’re looking forward to that," said Boileau.
"Of course, finance (staff) are still crunching the numbers, putting it through the finance modelling to see what this announcement really means in our context. So we don’t have those final numbers yet but we should in the coming weeks.”
“It’s going to be a new Golden Manor build," said Fontana.
"The current building will be repurposed for other uses. Hopefully, we can connect with our community partners like DSSAB, hospitals, whoever that may be to repurpose this building.”
Officials said an exciting part of the funding announcement is that not-for-profit long-term care homes can use almost half of the subsidy for upfront construction costs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.