MAHC and SSMHC Hold Constructive Discussion on the Future of Health Care in Muskoka

(Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Bracebridge, ON) Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) and the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) met on October 21, 2026, for a positive and constructive discussion about MAHC’s Capital Redevelopment plan.

The meeting provided an opportunity for open dialogue on issues of significant importance to the community, including hospital site selection, clinical planning (including obstetrics), transportation, transitional care, community engagement and the rationale informing key redevelopment decisions.

Both organizations recognize that decisions made through the redevelopment process will have long-term implications for patients, families, healthcare providers and communities throughout Muskoka.

SSMHC shared perspectives regarding the redevelopment plan and the proposed South Muskoka hospital site, including considerations related to future healthcare needs, hospital capacity, access to services and long-term planning for growth.

Transportation was an important topic of discussion. Participants discussed the challenges some patients, families and caregivers may experience when accessing services across a large geographic region. MAHC shared information about initiatives currently underway to address transportation needs and acknowledged the importance of continuing these conversations as planning progresses.

“This discussion was an important opportunity to share information, listen carefully and strengthen understanding of the plan for the future of healthcare in Muskoka,” said Cheryl Harrison, President and CEO of MAHC. “We remain committed to working with our communities as planning moves forward.”

“SSMHC welcomed the opportunity to bring the community’s concerns directly to MAHC and to discuss the long-term implications of the redevelopment plan,” said Steve Webb, Co-Chair of SSMHC. “Our responsibility is to advocate for equitable access to health care and to ensure that the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has the capacity to serve a growing population, both now and in the future. We appreciate the opportunity for dialogue, while recognizing that important questions about future capacity, access and transportation remain central to our advocacy.”

“SSMHC appreciates the opportunity to bring forward the community’s concerns regarding the proposed redevelopment plan, particularly the concentration of all transitional care beds at the Huntsville site and the practical challenges this presents for South Muskoka residents, their families and caregivers,” said Frankie Dewsbury, Co-Chair of the SSMHC. “This is important because the question is not merely where beds and services are located. It is whether patients and their families can realistically access the care and support they need. We are encouraged by the information shared by MAHC regarding its work to address transportation challenges and recognize this as an important consideration in ensuring equitable access to care.”

“Planning for the future of hospital care requires us to look carefully at how clinical services work together and how we can best support patients and providers,” said Dr. Scott Whynot, incoming Chief of Staff. “I am optimistic that the future model will strengthen coordinated care across Muskoka and support better experiences for patients, families and providers. Conversations like this give us an opportunity to share the clinical thinking behind the plan, answer questions and better understand the concerns being raised by the community.”

“The Board recognizes how important this redevelopment is to the communities we serve and the strong interest people have in its future,” said Carla Clarkson-Ladd, Board Chair of MAHC. “Open and respectful dialogue helps ensure questions and concerns are heard as we continue moving this important project forward.”

MAHC and SSMHC thank the Town of Bracebridge for its support in bringing the organizations together and helping facilitate productive discussion.

“I am pleased to see MAHC and SSMHC come together in a spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to the future of healthcare in our region. By engaging in open communication there is an opportunity to build greater understanding and move forward constructively. Continued collaboration will help build understanding and keep us moving forward toward the shared goal of high-quality hospital care for the people of Muskoka,” said Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge.

Bobbie Clark, Interim Vice President, People, and Organizational Excellence at MAHC says the team at MAHC remains committed to meaningful engagement throughout the redevelopment process. “That includes continuing to listen, addressing any identified gaps in the sharing of information and creating opportunities for constructive conversation, recognizing that meaningful dialogue does not require agreement on every issue.”

Both organizations share a commitment to equitable access to high-quality health care for the communities MAHC serves. While perspectives may differ on some aspects of the redevelopment plan, the organizations recognize the importance of continued dialogue, transparent communication and careful consideration of the needs of patients and communities as planning advances.

SSMHC will continue to advocate for a redevelopment plan that provides equitable access to hospital care, appropriate acute care capacity in South Muskoka and consideration of the transportation challenges that can arise when services are centralized at one location.

Still on track with Infrastructure Ontario’s timeline, MAHC is awaiting approval of its Stage 1.3 capital redevelopment submission and hopes to receive an update in the coming weeks. The
project will bring more than $1 billion in provincial funding and local share contributions to building two new acute care hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville.

For more information on MAHC’s plan for the two new hospitals, visit madeinmuskokahealthcare.ca.

For information on SSMHC’s advocacy visit ssmh.ca.

For questions related to the plan, submit an email to MAHC redevelopment@mahc.ca.