Ontario Invests C$155M to Open 57 Community Surgical, Diagnostic Centres

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a $155 million investment over two years to establish 57 new community surgical and diagnostic centres aimed at reducing wait times for publicly funded MRI, CT scans, and gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. These centres, which include 35 for imaging and 22 for endoscopy, are expected to serve up to 1.2 million people, significantly expanding access to essential diagnostic services beyond initial targets. The initiative integrates these privately operated but publicly funded centres into the public health system, with strict oversight and staffing requirements to ensure stability and timely care under the OHIP program. However, the move has drawn criticism from the Ontario Nurses' Association and opposition politicians, who argue that redirecting public funds to private clinics threatens the public health system and may benefit wealthier patients disproportionately. Supporters, including the government, contend that this expansion helps alleviate hospital burdens and accelerates care delivery amid a backlog in surgeries and diagnostic tests. The first licensed centre, located in Richmond Hill, received $14 million and will serve over 115,000 patients, with additional centre recipients to be announced soon.