Bold New Vision for North Shore Healthcare

By Angie Gallop, special to Shore Report

Despite warnings to not go out because of dangerously poor air quality, a standing-room-only crowd packed the cafeteria of the Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) Wednesday night, July 15.

They gathered to hear from their doctors, who are stepping forward with a vision to solve the ongoing crises of emergency room closures and doctor shortages on the North Shore. The proposed solution? Amalgamating the Thessalon and Matthews Memorial hospitals at a central site, with primary care clinics remaining in the communities.

Dr. Bill Crawford, who has been working 72+ hour shifts to keep St. Joseph Island’s Matthews Memorial Hospital going, and who will be retiring in two years, spear-headed the conversation by outlining the docs’ position with a detailed PowerPoint presentation (see slides video below).

He also circulated a petition and forms for people interested in a citizen-led movement.

Crawford outlined the causes of doctor shortages and burn-out

There are 10.5 approved full-time positions in the area but only four of those are filled, and two of those doctors are set to retire soon. The North Shore Health Network has been working hard at recruitment, with one new doctor in Thessalon and an overseas doctor being trained by the local docs, but those contracts are not long-term.

The crux of the problem is that most doctors do not want to split their focus between covering the Emergency department and running a clinic, which is what the current contract requires. They also balk at the requirement to provide the same standard of care as urban centers in facilities that are “museums because they are so antiquated.”

The docs estimated that there are approximately four people per day sent on the hour-long, 80 km drive to Sault Ste. Marie for CT scans. This eats up critical resources as they must be transported by ambulance and accompanied by a nurse.

“We’ve had six young doctors say they’d like to work in our area, but they go elsewhere because of the current working conditions,” said Crawford.

Recent grad Dr. Seth Whitley, who has just completed a work stint with Chief of Staff Eric Haapala and Dr. Amy Vine, grew up on St. Joseph Island and says he would like to practice in the area. He’s taken a position with the Sault Hospital Emergency instead.

“Money is not the issue here. I have four kids. Under the current conditions, I’d never see them,” he said.

“Plus, I’m a new graduate. I’d have to be much more comfortable with my skills in emergency medicine before working alone in an under-resourced facility.”

Chief of Staff Haapala added that the area has lost exceptional, experienced practitioners due to similar concerns.

“If they were given the chance to scale back on emergency care and focus on their primary clinic work, they’d still be with us,” he said. “When primary care is working well and everybody has access, the load in the Emergency department becomes reasonable.”

Although discussions about local hospitals have been contentious — area residents have previously made noise with a highway-side protest and visits to the provincial legislature — the atmosphere in the CASS cafeteria was a contrast to the ominous orange skies outside.

The doctors shared their vision of replacing 1996’s Rural and Northern Physician Group Agreement (RNPGA) contract with a new Alternative Funding Agreement (AFA) that would let docs focus on Emergency or clinic care. They also described a new, united hospital with dedicated staff, overnight monitoring rooms, on-site diagnostics, additional hospice spaces, spaces to facilitate collaboration with other services, and a learning lab/classroom for students.

When asked for a show of hands in support of the docs’ idea, the vote was almost unanimous. Only three people put up their hands “against”, and former Algoma Mutual CEO and Conservative candidate Cameron Ross spoke up, “I’m not there yet but I’m listening.”

When asked “Where is (MPP) Bill Rosenberg?” Dr. Crawford started sharing regrets, but shouts of “He’s here!” came from the back of the room, and Rosenberg stepped forward.

After the meeting, the Algoma—Manitoulin MPP commented, “I’m listening and taking notes like everyone else.”

Local mayors Jody Wildman (Richard’s Landing), Jordan Bird (Thessalon), and Lori Patteri (Bruce Mines) attended with members of their respective councils and staff. Huron Shores Councillors were present as well. The crowd also included former Thessalon mayor and Central Algoma trustee Brent Rankin, realtor Jonathan Stewart, lawyer Larry Peterson, former Huron Shores Mayor Matt Seabrook, activist and retired teacher Mary Jane Thompson, the Ontario Health Coalition’s Al Dupius, as well as people from the Mennonite community and many people who work in the area’s education and healthcare sectors.

“I was a bit nervous when I drove into the parking lot and it was packed,” says Haapala with a laugh. “I’m pleasantly surprised at the turnout, and I’m pleasantly surprised at the lack of pitchforks.”

Realtor Jonathan Stewart came prepared to fight for the Island’s hospital but instead ended up offering his offices to circulate the doctors’ petition and application forms for people interested in building a citizen-led movement.

“The point that primary care clinics would stay in the communities sealed it for me,” he said.

The petition forms and applications will also be available in all area clinics.

“Talk to your neighbours, talk to your local council so they understand the position we need to be advocating for,” said Mayor Wildman after cautioning people to not let up on the push for more immediate solutions.

Dr. Whitley said that even though the plan is long-term and will take time to implement, seeing action in the direction of the doctors’ vision will go a long way toward recruiting people like himself. Dr. Crawford said he thinks the hang-up will be peoples’ emotional attachment to their separate community hospitals.

“But at this point, it’s like advocating to drive the 1950s Chevy as your main car,” he quipped.

Local residents interested in joining the initiative can access a sign-up form and drop it off at a local clinic or Stewart Realty Team offices.

Angie Gallop is a longtime resident of Lake Huron’s North Shore, a former journalist, a practicing lay preacher, and freelance writer. She lives and works in Thessalon.

Shore Report acknowledges the North Shore of Lake Huron is the traditional land of the Anishinabek and the Métis Nation. This is Treaty 61 (Robinson-Huron) territory. Anishinabek have lived in the Great Lakes region for thousands of years. Shore Report is very grateful to live and work here.

All written content in this issue is © Shore Report 2026

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