SDG Counties Seeks Funding to Address Rural Healthcare Shortage

The SDG Counties, which includes the City of Cornwall, Russell, and Akwesasne, has applied for funding to address a pressing rural healthcare recruitment issue. More than 21,000 residents in this region currently lack a primary care provider, and this figure is likely to grow as eight healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, are set to retire within the next three years.

Data from the Great River Ontario Health Team, sourced from Ontario Health, highlights a significant disparity in access to care. As of March 2025, South Glengarry has the highest percentage of residents without a primary care provider at 15 percent, while North Glengarry follows closely at 14 percent. In contrast, North Dundas boasts the lowest percentage of 6 percent unattached residents, indicating that the majority of its population has access to medical care.

In response to this urgent situation, SDG Counties is proactively seeking solutions. The initiative, titled the “Great River, Great Future – Rural Healthcare Workforce Recruitment Initiative,” aims to create a targeted recruitment campaign for primary care practitioners in Eastern Ontario. The Counties has allocated $136,000 for this project over a two-year period. If the funding application is successful, it could secure up to $68,000 to support the recruitment efforts.

Support for this initiative comes from various partners, including the City of Cornwall, Carefor Health & Community Services, the municipality of Russell, and the Township of South Stormont. Together, these entities are working to attract primary healthcare providers to the area amidst a growing shortage.

Local data suggests that at least 39 primary care providers are needed to meet the community’s current healthcare demands. There is hope that the ongoing changes in healthcare legislation in Quebec, particularly Bill 2, may encourage doctors considering leaving the province to relocate to SDG Counties, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on local healthcare services.

As the situation develops, the SDG Counties remains focused on ensuring that its residents receive the necessary healthcare services. The outcome of the funding application is anticipated to play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare accessibility in the region.