The Lifeline Newsletter

Community Update 

September 2025

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL -
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Welcome to our newly-styled newsletter - the Lifeline!

We start with some important news:  Unfortunately, we may be running out of time to Save South Muskoka Hospital from MAHC's plans to remove beds and services from our region.  The current provincial review of Stage 1.3 is the most intensive part of the hospital redevelopment process.  It may be over by December. 

And despite this crucial time in the process, in a recent presentation from MAHC to the Councillors of the Town of Bracebridge, the public was left without any material updates and more questions than answers.

Given the importance of this issue to the community, the SSMHC is continuing to press local officials and advocating for significant change to address legitimate and fact-based criticisms of the MAHC model.  

MAHC would have you believe that our concerns about health care delivery in a growing community is "misinformation".    We disagree.  The facts are clear:  our region is both growing AND aging in terms of population and demographics and this MAHC hospital plan is nowhere near the mark.  

By 2050, South Muskoka will have more residents than Orillia has today (estimated South Muskoka residents at 50,000+), yet MAHC's plan is to give South Muskoka 20% of the hospital beds that Soldiers Memorial has today.  (That is, 46 hospitals beds for South Muskoka vs. 230 beds in Soldiers Memorial today).  Additionally, by 2050, two out of every 5 Muskokans will be over the age of 64, when healthcare needs tend to intensify.  

We find the "misinformation" comment insulting to the hard work of our Committee - many of whom have years of experience in the healthcare sector - and who are dedicated to advancing change based on an informed discussion about the future of our local hospital. 

All this is to say, the SSMHC continues to need your voice and your support.  Now is just as important as ever for this cause.  We hope that you will join us at our Virtual Town Hall on September 30 (click the link to register) to learn more about what we're doing and how you might be able to help.  

SSMHC members see and hear the community support and want to let you know that it means so much to us - it keeps us volunteers going.  Thanks for everything that you're doing!

Read about our many updates below and stay connected through the Lifeline!  

- The Save South Muskoka Committee

The Latest from the Lifeline:

300 Pine Street - Serious Concerns Raised by SSMHC

The SSMHC is currently developing its Position Paper #4 which explores criticisms and concerns with the site selection process for the future South Muskoka Hospital in detail.  In the meantime, given community interest on the issue, we have released a short two-page summary of our concerns available on our website.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments on the forum board also on our website (below the post download).

SSMHC is deeply concerned that MAHC applied a deeply flawed process and that 300 Pine Street is a bad choice. 

At a minimum, there must be a new review undertaken to ensure that the proposed 46-bed hospital would fit on the 300 Pine Street lands given that MAHC had only planned a 14-bed hospital at the time that it selected the site.   

The community deserves more transparency and answers!

Virtual "Town Hall" - Join us!

We heard your feedback from our Pulse Survey in July:  We need to engage our members and keep the broader community informed!

Join us for a virtual "Town Hall" on September 30, 2025.   We are asking that attendees please pre-register.  We will be sure to distribute the meeting details in advance to all those that register via email.  You can also RSVP via email - send us a message to ssmh@ssmh.ca

As community members, we ask that you please plan to attend this important event for our cause.  We are looking forward to giving attendees a full update on all of our activities and efforts and to facilitate a Q&A discussion.  

We appreciate that this fight is going much longer than anyone anticipated, however, we continue to be in a crucial time during the provincial review of the Stage 1.3 plan that MAHC submitted last November.   The fight is NOT over and we continue to need community support! 

Mayor Kelley of Muskoka Lakes Refuses to Meet With SSMHC

The SSMHC has written several requests to Mayor Kelley of Muskoka Lakes to seek an opportunity to provide an update on our efforts to engage MAHC.    Read our letter to Mayor Kelley here.

Mayor Kelley has not even acknowledged receipt of SSMHC's letters despite repeated requests.  

We think that this is a missed opportunity and, while it may sting a little on our collective ego, it also does not seem fitting of someone who is entrusted with the democratic process.

Muskoka Lakes ratepayers are the largest contributors to the Local Share contribution of $75M dollars to the hospital redevelopments through the District of Muskoka.  The wellbeing of permanent and seasonal residents will be greatly affected by MAHC's plan. 

If you are a resident of Muskoka Lakes and would care to share your thoughts on this, you can email us at ssmh@ssmh.ca or Mayor Kelley directly at pkelley@muskokalakes.ca

Missed Opportunity By Bracebridge Town Council to Press MAHC for Answers

SSMHC prepared a Press Release in response to MAHC's update to the Town of Bracebridge General Committee on September 4.   

The public didn't learn much from the MAHC presentation and the discussion at the Council Table ought to have reflected the community's concerns.  Please read our full press release on our website.

Of note, one important piece of news from the presentation is that we should expect a decision from MAHC on the current OB unit closure at South Muskoka hospital in the coming weeks.  SSMHC is advocating that an operating OB unit is essential to an acute care hospital and services must be restored as a top priority for MAHC.

Freedom of Information Requests Denied in Full by MAHC

In the spring, members of the SSMHC advanced requests to MAHC under provincial Freedom of Information legislation to obtain copies of the Stage 1.3 submission to the province and the engineering reports concerning 300 Pine Street.

MAHC initially sought various 30-day extensions on the requests.  This month two FOI requests were DENIED IN FULL by administrative decision through Alasdair Smith, CFO, on the basis that the release may interfere with the "Economic and Other Interests of Ontario" in certain plans or negotiation strategies (section 18 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.)

SSMHC will be reviewing options to advance reviews of these decisions to the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario.

Given the public concern about a lack of transparency and engagement, we are surprised that no other effort to address the request with members of the SSMHC has occurred from MAHC.  The manner in which these FOI requests have been managed certainly does not inspire trust in the opinion of members of the SSMHC.

Bala Bay Cranberry Festival - Hope to See You There!

The Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee will have a booth at the Cranberry Festival, October 17-19.

If you are interested to volunteer as a member at our booth, please email us at ssmh@ssmh.ca

We look forward to seeing many friendly faces and continuing our dialogue on this important issue with interested residents, cottagers and visitors.

Festival Details:  https://www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca/

Successful Rally in Huntsville

We had a very successful showing at the Ontario Health Coalition rally in July in Huntsville.   The rally corresponded with the First Ministers' Meeting.  Jason Cole's message to the crowd is also up on our facebook page. 

It was a great day to get out and show support for local healthcare and our hospital!

Donations Update - Every bit helps!

The SSMHC is now set up to receive credit card (and Apple Pay) donations. 

Any amount is greatly appreciated.  

Signs! Signs! And More Signs!

If you have an old sign, you can still use that or we can exchange.  We will deliver signs across Muskoka.  Fill in the form or email ssmh@ssmh.ca and request yours today.  

Order your Window (Small) or Lawn Sign here!

Press Clippings

• MAHC: Obstetrics decision coming later this month 
• Group says hospital board ‘failed to engage community’ for south Muskoka location process, calls on province to investigate
• ‘There’s another piece that’s missing’: Bracebridge mayor asks province to look at hospital governance structure

Have the SSMHC Present to Your Club, Team, Group or Association!   

If you are part of a group that would like to receive an update from the SSMHC, please let us know!   We want to spread the word about our advocacy efforts throughout the community.

We are currently providing  presentations (10-20 minutes) to update on our understanding the redevelopment process, the changes we'd like to see, and the efforts of our committee. 

Please email ssmh@ssmh.ca to request to connect with one of our Executive Members to discuss setting this up.

Stay Connected

Please Contact Us with your feedback

Visit our website news page - ssmh.ca/news

On My Lifeline "To Do" List:

Don't forget - Register for the Town Hall on September 30 here!

You can also RSVP via email - send us a message to ssmh@ssmh.ca

Follow us on Facebook!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Contact us by email:  ssmh@ssmh.ca

We welcome feedback, suggestions, comments, questions and encouragement!  

Copyright Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee