Thunder Bay — Ontario is expanding its network of youth mental health services with the opening of a new Youth Wellness Hub in Thunder Bay, part of a province-wide effort to make care more accessible for young people. The new facility is one of ten hubs being added to the existing network of 22, bringing the total to 32 across the province.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the hub reflects the government’s broader plan to build a “connected and convenient system of care” for young people and their families.
“Our government is continuing to take action to build a connected and convenient system of care that meets the needs of youth and their families,” Jones said. “As part of our commitment to expanding Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario and supporting communities with the care they need, the opening of the Thunder Bay Youth Wellness Hub ensures young people have access to high-quality mental health and addictions services, closer to home, in a space designed just for them.”
Services Tailored for Local Needs
The Thunder Bay Youth Wellness Hub offers free, walk-in services for youth aged 12 to 25. Supports include mental health and substance use care, primary health services, peer support, employment programs, and access to community and social resources.
The facility was co-designed by Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, working with youth, Indigenous service providers, and community partners to ensure the needs of Indigenous youth are central to the hub’s planning. The space is intended to be culturally responsive, with traditional teachings and supports built into its programming.
“Youth Wellness Hubs are about providing young people with the supports they need to connect and thrive,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This hub is the result of strong collaboration among local community partners who came together to create a welcoming space to deliver integrated services that reflect the needs of youth in Thunder Bay.”
Local Leaders Welcome Expansion
Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland said the opening builds on priorities raised in earlier community consultations.
“The opening of the Youth Wellness Hub is a tremendous step forward in ensuring that young people in our community have access to the supports they need, close to home,” Holland said. “This vision was first raised during a roundtable we hosted two years ago, where local leaders identified priorities to strengthen mental health and addictions care in our region. Since then, our government has responded with several key initiatives, and today we are proud to see the Youth Wellness Hub become a reality.”
Carole-Anne Chiasson, Executive Director of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project.
“I’m thrilled to open the doors of this inclusive new space for youth in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area,” Chiasson said. “Here, young people will find a full range of integrated supports — mental health, substance use care, primary care, housing, employment, recreation, and more — under one roof. This hub is possible thanks to the Government of Ontario, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, and the many youth, Indigenous and First Nations service providers, and community partners who came together to make it a reality.”
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay CEO Diane Walker also highlighted the community’s role in shaping the hub.
“Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, as the network lead is super excited to be hosting our grand opening today on behalf of the City and District partners,” Walker said. “We are so proud watching this project come to fruition under the guidance of our amazing youth, families, and partners. Thank you to the Ministry of Health and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario for your support and guidance in this project. We look forward to serving youth and families in this integrated one stop service model.”
Expanding Provincial Network
The Thunder Bay site is part of Ontario’s Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, which has prioritized expanding Youth Wellness Hubs across the province. Between August 2019 and March 2025, the hubs connected nearly 73,000 youth and families to mental health, substance use, and wellness services, accounting for more than 367,000 visits.
Last year alone, more than 27,000 youth made almost 135,000 visits to existing hubs. The province is investing $8.3 million over three years to fund ten new hubs in communities including Port Hope, Oxford County, Vaughan, Brampton, Akwesasne, Bancroft, Cambridge, Dufferin County, and Durham/Ajax.
This expansion builds on earlier investments through the Roadmap to Wellness, a ten-year, $3.8 billion strategy to fill gaps in care and strengthen the mental health system. As part of the roadmap, the province is also investing an additional $396 million over three years to improve access and expand existing mental health and addictions programs.
Outlook
The Thunder Bay hub marks another step in Ontario’s push to provide more localized, youth-focused care. With a design shaped by Indigenous and community input, officials say the facility reflects both cultural responsiveness and practical accessibility.
For government leaders, the hub is not only a local milestone but also part of a broader strategy to transform Ontario’s mental health and addictions system. For young people in Thunder Bay, it means easier access to the care and services they need — without having to leave their community.
