Over $281 million invested to support critical infrastructure upgrades at hospitals and community health-care facilities across the province
GUELPH – The Ontario government is investing over $7.1 million to support improved operations and reduced wait times as well as complete upgrades and repairs at Guelph General Hospital.
A provincial investment of over $6 million will support operations so the hospital can better meet patient needs. This includes funding to improve emergency department operations, help retain staff, and reduce wait times for diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures so that people can connect to care faster. This funding is part of a $1.1 billion investment into our hospital sector as part of Budget 2026, A Plan to Protect Ontario, which represents a four per cent increase in annual support for the fourth year in a row.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in Guelph can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Supporting improved operations and infrastructure upgrades at Guelph General Hospital is one more way our government is ensuring local families can receive the high-quality care they need, close to home.”
Over $1 million is also being delivered through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, helping to ensure that people in Guelph can continue to access the care they need in safe, modern environments. This investment is part of a broader commitment of over $266 million to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 126 hospitals across the province.
The Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund enables health-care system partners to address their urgent infrastructure needs, including upgrading or replacing roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and emergency generators. Since 2024, the Ontario government has increased funding through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund by 10 per cent each year, allowing even more hospitals to complete upgrades and repairs in a timely manner.
These latest investments build on the over $21 million the government is providing the hospital to support the phased expansion of their emergency department. The first phase of the expansion, includes the renovation of approximately 23,000 square feet of space to relocate the hospital’s existing emergency mental health and addictions services unit from the emergency department to a new, dedicated space within the hospital. This relocation will allow more patients and their families to access enhanced mental health and addictions support services while freeing up over 12 per cent more space in the emergency department to connect more patients to the right level of emergency care, as quickly as possible.
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is expanding and modernizing hospitals and building new health-care facilities, making it faster and easier for people of all ages to connect to the high-quality care they need, where and when they need it.
QUICK FACTS
- Guelph General Hospital provides comprehensive acute care and a range of health-care services to more than 200,000 people who live in Guelph and Wellington County. Services at the hospital include 24-hour emergency coverage, advanced technology and diagnostic support and vascular surgery.
- Over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $64 billion in major health infrastructure. This is part of the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, which will deliver approximately 3,000 new hospital beds on top of the 3,500 the province has added since 2020.
QUOTES
“On behalf of everyone who works at or receives care from Guelph General Hospital, thank you for investing in us. Guelph-Wellington is growing rapidly, and our health care needs continue to evolve. Support from the Ministry of Health ensures that we can continue to provide the level of care our community has come to expect, close to home.” – Mark Walton, President & CEO, Guelph General Hospital
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Breaks Ground on New Emergency Mental Health and Addictions Services Unit in Guelph
- 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
- Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
For Additional Inquiries:
Office of Joseph Racinsky, MPP
519-787-5247
Joseph.racinsky@pc.ola.org