The Town of Gananoque Council has approved a motion to create dedicated funding for physician recruitment and experiential locum incentive programs, aiming to attract family physicians to the community.
The Town had previously established the Physician Experiential Locum Grant Policy in August 2023 and the Physician Recruitment Grant Program Policy in July 2024, with funding tied to annual budgets and a portion of casino slot revenue. Recognizing declining casino revenues, council has now approved up to $42,500 per year from the general tax levy starting with the 2026 operating budget to ensure stable, ongoing support for both programs.
Council also reinstated the Community Grants Program, allocating an additional $42,500 in the 2026 budget to continue supporting local initiatives. The motion passed with four votes in favour and three opposed.
These steps reflect the Town’s commitment to strengthening healthcare access and supporting residents’ wellbeing by encouraging physicians to establish practices in Gananoque.
(By: Tim Baltz)
