Minden residents protest emergency department's permanent closure
Protesters gathered at Queen's Park Thursday to call on the province to prevent the emergency department from closing permanently in Minden.
Last week, Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) officials announced the June 1 closure of its emergency department to the devastation of residents.
"This just came completely out of the blue," said Minden Hills Mayor Bob Carter in an interview with CTV News on April 21.
At Queen's Park, Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the HHHS board and leadership "made this decision carefully."
Haliburton Highlands officials cited staffing shortages and retaining health care employees as the reason for the closure.
Since the announcement, residents gathered thousands of signatures to petition for a one-year moratorium.
The decision left residents hoping for its reversal.
"Without that hospital, I don't know what some of us would do," said Minden resident Louise Docherty.
When the ER closes its doors, all calls for service will be redirected to Haliburton's hospital, about 20 to 30 minutes away.
With files from CTV's Christian D'Avino
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.