GORE BAY, Ont. — The Ontario government has announced construction is underway on two new long-term care homes on Manitoulin Island, marking a major investment in northern healthcare infrastructure and seniors’ care. The projects — St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay and the Wikwemikong Nursing Home — will collectively provide 160 new and redeveloped beds for residents across the island.
Both facilities are being funded under Ontario’s Capital Funding Program (CFP), part of the province’s broader plan to build modern long-term care homes, create jobs, and ensure seniors receive the quality of care and quality of life they deserve.
“Our government is investing over $200 billion in our plan to build hospitals, long-term care, roads, schools and other critical infrastructure so we can create good-paying jobs, protect workers and families and guarantee high-quality services to the people of Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s announcement means 160 Manitoulin residents will have access to two world-class long-term care homes for decades to come.”
New Facilities to Serve Growing Needs
Once completed, St. Joseph’s Lodge will feature two resident home areas with 64 new, modern beds designed to create a warm and familiar environment. The home will include amenities such as optometry services, a hair salon, spiritual care, a bistro overlooking an outdoor patio, and a secure courtyard with scenic views of Gore Bay and the East Bluff. Construction is already underway, with the facility expected to open its doors to residents in 2027.
The Wikwemikong Nursing Home, meanwhile, will replace the existing facility in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory with a new 96-bed home designed specifically for Indigenous Elders. The home will provide culturally appropriate care and is slated to begin construction in 2026, once planning is finalized.
“Our government is improving access to long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff and protecting those who reside in them,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today marks a significant milestone for Manitoulin Island. Once construction is complete, people will have access to two new homes where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”
Partnerships With Local and Indigenous Communities
The province emphasized that the projects reflect a commitment to working closely with local and Indigenous communities to meet regional healthcare needs.
“Our government is proud to work alongside First Nations to ensure that long-term care reflects the needs and values of the communities it serves,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “The redevelopment of the Wikwemikong Nursing Home is a demonstration of what partnerships can achieve — expanded, high-quality care provided for Elders in their community.”
Community leaders have praised the projects as vital to both healthcare access and regional development.
“With 160 new and upgraded long-term care beds added to the communities of Gore Bay and Wikwemikong, today is a terrific milestone for Manitoulin residents,” said Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma—Manitoulin. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will continue to make historic investments in health and long-term care so families can get the world-class care they need close to home.”
Ron Lane, Mayor of Gore Bay, said the investment is part of a broader effort to revitalize local infrastructure. “The Town of Gore Bay is absolutely delighted to see the construction of a new long-term care home in our community. This is another key aspect of the citizen services and infrastructure revitalization that is taking place in our community, and this new, modern home is going to serve our residents that require long-term care for generations to come. We want to thank the Province of Ontario and St. Joseph’s Health Centre for its partnership on this project and the Douglas A. Smith Family Foundation for its support of this project and others that are assisting us with growing our town.”
Kari Gervais, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre, said the new Gore Bay facility aligns with the organization’s long history of providing care across the North. “This year, we are celebrating 75 years of delivering excellence in care to people across Northeastern Ontario, from hospital care to long-term care. A great way to celebrate our past is by building for the future. We are grateful for the support of the province and the Douglas A. Smith Family Foundation in building this much needed and larger home — St. Joseph’s Lodge — for the residents of Gore Bay and surrounding areas. We can’t wait to welcome residents to their new home with its spacious rooms, beautiful views of the North Channel, healing garden, chapel for spiritual care and warm, welcoming spaces where families can gather.”
In Wiikwemkoong, local leaders say the new Elders’ home will be transformative. “Wiikwemkoong is proud to share that a new 96-bed long-term care home is coming to our community, so our Elders can continue to live surrounded by family, culture and the land that sustains us,” said Ogimaa Tim Ominika, Chief of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. “This new home will ensure they continue living their lives surrounded by the land, language and people who give them strength. It is about bringing our Elders home and caring for them in a way that reflects who we are as Anishinaabe.”
Part of a Broader Provincial Strategy
The two Manitoulin projects are part of Ontario’s ongoing effort to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province, as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.
The government’s new Capital Funding Program is designed to accelerate construction, particularly in regions like Northern Ontario, where building costs and logistical challenges are higher. Under the CFP, St. Joseph’s Lodge and Wikwemikong Nursing Home are eligible for up to $30 million and $45 million in funding, respectively.
By front-loading funding for Indigenous and hospital operators, the program aims to ensure projects can move forward efficiently, addressing the urgent need for long-term care capacity.
“Building more modern, safe and comfortable homes for our residents is part of the Government of Ontario’s Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021,” the province stated. “These investments ensure people receive the care and dignity they deserve, close to home.”
