NORTH BAY, Ont. – The Ontario government has marked a major milestone in its long-term care expansion plan with the official opening of the new Northern Heights Community, a 160-bed long-term care home in North Bay. The new facility replaces the existing Waters Edge Care Community and reflects the province’s ongoing efforts to modernize elder care, create jobs, and improve quality of life for seniors.
Announced by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, the project is part of Ontario’s province-wide initiative to add and upgrade 58,000 long-term care beds as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario. The Northern Heights home, which welcomed its first residents in September, includes 12 new and 148 upgraded beds designed to meet modern care standards and improve accessibility and comfort for seniors.
A Major Step Forward for Northern Ontario
“The opening of the new Northern Heights Community home marks a significant milestone in our government’s plan to protect residents and increase access to world-class health care across the province, including here in the north,” said John Jordan, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care. “Now that construction is completed, 160 people have a safe and modern place to call home.”
The facility was built with the support of the province’s construction funding subsidy top-up, an initiative aimed at accelerating long-term care development across Ontario. Northern Heights was also designed using a “resident home area” model, which divides the building into five intimate sections—each accommodating up to 32 residents. These areas include shared dining and activity spaces, lounges, and private bedrooms, offering a balance between community living and personal comfort.
In addition to the residential wings, the new building includes modern amenities such as a full kitchen, lounge, beauty salon, tuck shop, and multiple outdoor courtyards.
Commitment to Quality and Compassionate Care
Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing, called the opening a tangible reflection of the government’s promise to improve care for Ontario’s aging population.
“Since being elected, our government has made a promise: to ensure that seniors have access to the care they need and deserve, and to build a stronger, more compassionate long-term care system. We’ve delivered on that promise here in North Bay,” said Fedeli. “The Northern Heights Community long-term care home will ensure that more seniors in Nipissing can enjoy their golden years in comfort, safety, and with the dignity they deserve. Today’s important announcement builds on our vision. It represents another step forward to ensure we are protecting Ontario to meet the needs of our aging population and expanding long-term care capacity.”
The project was developed in partnership with Sienna Senior Living Inc., one of Canada’s largest senior care providers. The company operates the new facility and oversees daily management, ensuring residents receive consistent, professional care.
Community Collaboration and Local Impact
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico praised the project as both a social and economic investment for the region.
“I’m pleased to welcome the opening of the new Northern Heights Community long-term care home,” said Chirico. “This modern facility helps address the community’s housing needs by providing a safe, comfortable and welcoming home for 160 seniors. We thank the province and Sienna Senior Living for their investment in this important project.”
Nitin Jain, President and CEO of Sienna Senior Living, emphasized that the development represents a collective achievement among provincial leaders, municipal partners, and the private sector.
“Long-term care in Ontario is undergoing a remarkable revitalization,” said Jain. “The Ontario government’s commitment to modernizing care and investing in communities like North Bay has made seniors’ care a clear priority. At Sienna Senior Living, we believe caring for seniors is both a privilege and a deep responsibility, a view shared by our 15,000 dedicated team members who support more than 13,000 seniors across Canada every day. Minister Fedeli has championed this project from the start, and his support has been integral to bringing this new long-term care community to life.”
He added that Sienna is “grateful to Minister Kusendova-Bashta for her leadership toward improving the quality of care for seniors across Ontario,” noting that the collaboration with sector partners, the City of North Bay, and local tradespeople was crucial to realizing the project.
Strengthening Ontario’s Long-Term Care Sector
The Northern Heights opening underscores Ontario’s broader strategy to modernize and expand its long-term care infrastructure. As of November 2025, the province reports 151 projects representing 24,613 new and redeveloped beds either completed, under construction, or approved for development.
The government’s new 2025 Long-Term Care Home Capital Funding Policy and Capital Funding Program (CFP) will build on this progress. The CFP replaces the previous subsidy model and introduces a flexible funding framework designed to reflect regional costs and support a diverse range of operators.
These measures form part of the province’s four-pillar plan to “fix long-term care,” focused on staffing and care improvements, stronger quality and enforcement measures, modern facilities, and better integration of services for seniors.
By leveraging partnerships with municipalities, healthcare organizations, and the private sector, Ontario aims to accelerate construction timelines and ensure every community—especially those in northern and rural regions—has access to high-quality long-term care options.
For the residents and families of North Bay, the completion of Northern Heights Community marks more than just new construction—it represents renewed confidence in Ontario’s ability to care for its aging citizens with compassion, dignity, and foresight.
