Ontario Investing in Public Health Units and Land Ambulance

Southwestern Public Health and Oxford County to receive increased funding

September 14, 2023

WOODSTOCK — Our government is taking an important step forward to deliver on Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care by increasing provincial funding for public health agencies to build a robust public health sector and connect people to faster, more convenient care in their communities.

“This funding announcement is very good news for our community,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “It ensures our health and emergency agencies can adapt to the increasing needs of residents of Oxford.”

Starting January 1, 2024, our government will restore nearly $47 million in provincial annual base funding for public health units as previously provided under the 75 per cent provincial / 25 per cent municipal cost-share ratio, in addition to providing local public health units with an annual one per cent funding increase over the next three years. Further, we will continue to work with the sector to refine and clarify roles of public health units to reduce overlap and focus resources on improving access to care for all Ontarians.

For Oxford, Southwestern Public Health will receive $110,900 in additional base funding and $107,600 in one-time funding.

To connect people to emergency care faster, our government is also providing over $811 million through the annual Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG). This investment represents an increase of six per cent over 2022 funding levels and will continue to support ambulance service operations in communities across the province.

County of Oxford will receive $7,885,807 for land ambulance services, up from $7,190,100 in 2022.

With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, our government continues to take action to strengthen the healthcare system so that it is responsive and evolving to meet the health needs and priorities of Ontarians, no matter where they live.