Ontario and Manitoba Aid Flood-Damaged Hospital in Kenora

A northwestern Ontario hospital sustained damage to about 25 percent of its physical space after a flood early Wednesday morning caused by an infrastructure failure on the fourth floor. The flood has temporarily damaged a number of bed spaces in the 81-bed facility that serves the city of Kenora and surrounding communities, including several First Nations.

While the emergency department remains open, all scheduled surgeries have been cancelled for the next three weeks. The hospital was already operating within an aging facility that has struggled to meet the demands of a growing community, and the current situation has further intensified those capacity challenges.

Officials have received support from the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba as well as regional hospital partners who have stepped up during this time. The hospital's president and chief executive officer said staff are contacting more than 200 affected patients directly.

At this time there are no additional changes to other services. Patients should continue to attend their scheduled appointments unless contacted directly by a specific department. The hospital urged people to check its Facebook page for updates. About 15,000 people live in Kenora, located just over 200 kilometres east of Winnipeg.

In the fall the Ontario government renewed its commitment of $50 million for a new hospital in Kenora known as the All Nations Hospital Project. The project is being developed alongside the Ogimaawabiitong Kenora Chiefs Advisory and is currently in the detailed planning stage expected to be completed in 2028 before construction begins.

The hospital serves local residents as well as members of several surrounding communities. Recovery from the flood is now the immediate priority while longer-term infrastructure improvements remain in progress.