Frontenac County Council turns down funding request for Wolfe Island Nurse Practitioner

Jeff Green | May 22, 2024

Supporting the Wolfe Island Medical Clinic Board in their efforts to bring a Nurse Practitioner to the island two days a week, Frontenac Islands Mayor Judith Greenwood-Speers, with support from Frontenac Islands Deputy Mayor Bill Saunders, brought forward a motion for the county to provide a $20,000 grant to support the project.

There is $20,000 in the 2024 Frontenac County budget to support county efforts to help medical clinics across the county in their physician recruitment efforts.

“I think this is a step in the right direction,” said Greenwood-Speers, I think this is exactly what this money was intended for, and if this works out well, it may become a template for other, more rural settings.”

The Mayors of both South and North Frontenac did not see the matter the same way, however.

“We had a plan for this money, and [community development officer] Debbi Miller brought us a proposal last month with how to move forward, and we accepted it. So, to change course and go in this direction at this time, is something I cannot support,” said South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal.

North Frontenac Mayor Gerry Lichty said “I think $20,000 is insufficient.” He then pointed out that, along with Addington Highlands Council. North Frontenac has invested $40,000, as well as $150,000 over five years, in addition to a $92,000 provincial grant they are eligible for because they are a rural/isolated community.

“We were successful in precuring a physician” said Lichty, “but it took a concerted effort and a lot more money, and we had to find a doctor that wanted to live in a rural area. The $20,000 is nice, it is a start, but I just want to know how it is going to be split amongst the other three towships.

“I’m with Gerry on that,” said Warden (and Central Frontenac Mayor) Francis Smith “how do we split the $20,000 among the other townships if it all goes this way.”

When the matter came to a roll call vote, the two Frontenac Islands representatives supported it, along with Councillor Fred Fowler from North Frontenac. Everyone else voted no, resulting in a 6-3 vote (South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal is afforded two votes on council motions in recognition of the population of the township relative to the other three.)