Hospice Muskoka left without funding in provincial budget
Hospice Muskoka is pleading for help after being left without additional funding for palliative care beds by the Provincial government.
On Sunday, the executive director of hospice Muskoka found herself at the Cottage Life show in Mississauga, looking to fundraise.
"We were very disappointed with the provincial budget that there was no additional funding for hospices, particularly for hospice Muskoka," said Donna Kearney, Executive Director of Hospice Muskoka.
Hospice Muskoka provides healthcare services to people dying or near the end of life. Andy's House opened up two years ago in Port Carling. It has ten beds. The hospitals in Muskoka rent out five beds, and the province funds $315,000 annually for three beds. That leaves the organization with the challenge of fundraising more than $1 million annually.
"Fundraising in Muskoka is not easy, so to raise $1.1 million to keep our doors open every year is becoming exceedingly difficult," Kearney said. "Why should I have to be spending my weekends here asking people to donate money so that I could care for people who are dying."
Someone Stephen Domnanovits stopped by the information booth at the cottage life show.
"I have just been diagnosed recently with stage four pancreatic cancer. We understand now the importance of it because being diagnosed, we just understand they do need the support," said Domnanovits.
Kearney said her organization is hoping people who cottage in Muskoka understand their challenges and do what they can to help in more ways than just donating.
"We're asking people to advocate to the government for funding for hospices across Ontario," she added. "The hospital in Muskoka is the only reason that Hospice Muskoka is still open."
Kearney said it costs significantly less to care for a patient in hospice than the hospital and hopes the government reconsiders its decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.