Ontario Investing over $30 million to Support York Region’s COVID-19 Recovery

Funding will help maintain COVID-19 related services and enable monitoring of future variants.

January 31, 2023

Newmarket, ON – The Ontario government is investing over $30 million in additional one-time funding to support York Region Public Health with costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding will help York Region continue to respond to COVID-19 such as operating vaccine clinics and performing case and contact management while ensuring that programs and services continue to be delivered that protect and promote the health of Ontarians. It will also ensure York remains future-ready.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has required such a significant response from our public health sector that has gone above and beyond business as usual,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and MPP for Newmarket-Aurora “This additional funding will help protect and promote the health of Ontarians while easing pressure on our hospital and emergency departments.”

“The funding will further bolster our healthcare sector by reimbursing the costs associated with preventing, monitoring, and detecting COVID-19,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “Our health care investments are fully focused on providing the stability we need to rebuild and recover our public health units.”

“Healthcare providers across Ontario and in York Region have had to endure many challenges over the past few years,” said Logan Kanapathi MPP for Markham-Thornhill. “I am pleased to see this investment reinforces our commitment to providing quality healthcare to all Ontarians and building a strong and sustainable public healthcare.”

“I am glad to see this investment into York Region Public Health for priority projects and COVID-related efforts which will lead to a more efficient healthcare system in Ontario,” said Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill. “It also helps implement the necessary steps that will ensure safety for patients, staff and visitors.”

“York Region Public health continues to prevent, monitor, and detect COVID-19 in our province, and promote health in our communities,” said MPP Laura Smith, Thornhill. “This funding is important to minimize impacts on the economy. It also enables the recovery and return to normal system operations to reduce impacts on public health service delivery.”

“Through this provincial support, we are better positioned to build the resiliency of our public health offerings and better prepared to respond to health emergencies,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “On behalf of York Regional Council, The Regional Municipality of York and all residents, thank you for helping to protect, preserve and promote the health and well-being of our communities.”

The funding is part of the government’s investment of over $170 million in additional funding to support public health units across Ontario with costs associated with preventing, monitoring, detecting, and containing COVID-19 in the province.

Quick Facts:
• Since 2020, the Ministry of Health has invested over $1.5 billion in additional funding for public health units to support and enhance COVID-19 monitoring, case and contact
management, and the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine program at the local level.

Additional Resources:
• Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery