Government Investments Will Improve Health Care System

TORONTO - Another project milestone has been reached as Infrastructure Ontario received bids yesterday to build, finance and maintain the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). The facility will house a modern acute care hospital and a state-of-the-art specialized mental health facility, on one health care campus.

“The new North Bay Regional Health Centre is one of the most important projects in our region,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. “Reaching this stage of the project is the result of the great work and dedication of many, and the ongoing support of our local communities.   Residents of North Bay and area welcome the news that their hospital project is one step closer to completion.” 

The Request for Proposals was issued in March 2006.   

Bids will be evaluated to select a team to complete the project. The winning bidder will be named in early 2007 and construction is scheduled to begin shortly after. 

“Through ReNew Ontario, the government's $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan, we are rebuilding Ontario's infrastructure and making the biggest investment in the province's hospitals in well over a generation," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal.

“We're on the side of Ontario families who want and deserve the very best health care,” said George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “That's why our investment in hospitals and health care will grow by an additional $1.9-billion to $35.4-billion this year, rising to $38.8-billion in the following year.”

Project highlights of the North Bay Regional Health Centre include: 

  • Over 720,000 square feet of new construction
  • The North Bay General Hospital, a state-of-the-art acute care hospital, with 275 beds 
  • The Northeast Mental Health Centre, a specialized mental health facility with 113 beds and associated outpatient services 

“This project plays an important role in improving access to health care in our community.  It's exciting to know that we are one step closer to completing it,” said Roger Marleau, chairman, Joint Executive Committee, North Bay Regional Health Centre Project. 

North Bay General Hospital and Northeast Mental Health Centre will manage the new health centre project with Infrastructure Ontario under the province's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) program.  The new facility, like all hospitals in Ontario, will be publicly owned, accountable and controlled.

Infrastructure Ontario is an arm's length Crown corporation dedicated to the renewal of the province's hospitals, courthouses, and other essential public assets.  Ensuring appropriate public control and ownership, Infrastructure Ontario uses private financing to strategically rebuild vital infrastructure, on time and on budget.

All infrastructure projects will be guided by the principles in the government's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, ensuring public ownership of public assets such as hospitals, schools and water and wastewater infrastructure. Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.  

Contacts: 

Amy Tang 
Minister's Office 
Public Infrastructure Renewal
416.325.4048 

Terence Foran 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416.325.2939 

Pat Stephens 
North Bay Regional Health Centre Project 
705.495.8127