SDG Counties Seeks Funding to Address Rural Healthcare Shortage

SDG Counties has applied for funding to tackle the urgent issue of primary healthcare shortages in the region. With over 21,000 residents in the City of Cornwall, Russell, and Akwesasne lacking a primary care provider, the situation is set to worsen with the impending retirement of eight doctors and nurse practitioners over the next three years.

Data from the Great River Ontario Health Team, sourced from Ontario Health, indicates that as of March 2025, South Glengarry has the highest percentage of residents without a primary care provider at 15 percent, followed closely by North Glengarry at 14 percent. In contrast, North Dundas reports a much lower figure of 6 percent, suggesting that most residents in that township do have access to necessary healthcare services.

In response to this pressing need, SDG Counties is proactively seeking to recruit primary care practitioners. The proposed initiative, titled the “Great River, Great Future – Rural Healthcare Workforce Recruitment Initiative,” aims to create a targeted workforce recruitment campaign to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Eastern Ontario. The Counties plans to allocate $136,000 over a two-year period for this project, with the potential to receive up to $68,000 in funding if the application is successful.

Support for this initiative extends beyond SDG Counties. Partners such as the City of Cornwall, Carefor Health & Community Services, the municipality of Russell, and the Township of South Stormont have committed funds and in-kind support to attract healthcare providers to the area.

According to local data, a minimum of 39 primary care providers are necessary to meet the current healthcare needs of the population. In light of recent healthcare policy changes in Quebec, particularly related to Bill 2, local municipalities and hospitals are hopeful that doctors contemplating leaving Quebec may consider relocating to SDG Counties.

This recruitment initiative is crucial for ensuring that residents in the area have consistent access to primary healthcare services, addressing both current shortages and future demands. The collaborative effort from local governments and health organizations highlights a community-driven approach to resolving a critical public health issue.