Photo via lakelandsph.ca/
The province is providing nearly $9 million in one-time funding to the newly formed Lakelands Public Health as part of a broader investment in public health units across the province.
Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough–Kawartha, Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, and David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland–Peterborough South, announced Thursday that Lakelands Public Health will receive $8,997,249 for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The funding is part of a provincial commitment of more than $60 million being distributed to 29 public health units. The province says the investment will support local health initiatives, modernize service delivery and ensure continued access to programs such as immunization clinics, water safety inspections and infectious disease monitoring.
The funding comes following the recent merger that created Lakelands Public Health, an integration aimed at improving coordination and efficiency across the region. Officials say the one-time funding will help stabilize operations during the transition and strengthen health promotion and disease prevention efforts.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that every resident in our region has access to high-quality public health services,” said Smith. “As we move forward with this merger, these funds will help ensure a seamless transition and a more connected, efficient health system for everyone.”
Piccini said the investment will help strengthen service delivery and improve coordination, while Scott called it a step toward building a more resilient public health system capable of responding to emerging risks.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, medical officer of health and chief executive officer for Lakelands Public Health, said the funding will support modernization efforts and priority health initiatives.
“It will help us strengthen and modernize how we deliver services and ensure residents continue to have access to critical public health programs they rely on,” Piggott said.
