Community Capital Fund and Community Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (CHIRF) announcement

You see, in 2004 and then in 2005, the then Minister of Health, Minister Smitherman announced the largest expansion of CHCs in their history - 21 new CHCs and 22 new satellites.

We were all VERY excited - but the problem was that although the operational funding was approved,  it appeared to us that no one really thought about funding for capital.

The community infrastructure fund at the Ministry of Health was just too small.  As far as we could tell - and we never really knew the total funds - the Ministry had about $25M per year for the entire community capital pressures.

This meant that there were not enough capital funds to meet the needs of the new CHCs, let alone the old CHCs and AHAC's desperate need for capital funding, or the needs of any of the other community agencies.

So with each of the two capital announcements in 2011 and then in 2013, we were thrilled for the CHC's and AHAC's that were announced, but we still had to tell the others that they remained on the waiting list - with no end in sight.

With today's announcements - the WAIT IS OVER. 

The ministry also announced a new Community Health Infrastructure Renewal Program (CHIRP) a total of 10 M by 2017. This new fund will open the doors to NPLCs, FHTs and public health as well.   

CHCs have been around for over 40 years. They are often in dire state of repair.  This fund will ensure that the buildings will be able to offer services in safe, accessible and vibrant community spaces to meet the needs of the people we serve.

This 60 M over the next 3 years means so much, and is not just about the buildings. It is about what the buildings will allow our community organizations to do.   

Minister Matthews, we know that you believe that better health is not just something you get in a medical clinic.  Better health begins in our homes, in our schools, in our workplaces, and the communities where we live. 

In your Action Plan you talk about building the strength and capacity of the community sector; and you talk about moving services to the community so that services can be provided closer to home.

This announcement is a huge foundational piece to making that happen. It will enable us to build a more integrated and less fragmented health and social service system.

In fact, Centre Francophone de Toronto is an excellent example of an integrated hub.  At this centre, under one roof, primary health care services, family and youth services, newcomer services, legal services, employment services and cultural services -- are all provided under one roof -- in a culturally safe and vibrant community hub. 

This is the future we need to move towards if we truly want to be people centred and these are the possibilities that this announcement today will truly enable.

Minister Matthews and I have been talking about the capital file now for more than five years now and I can report both she, and her team, really fight for what they believe in. 

I know how hard you and your staff had to work to make this announcement happen - especially in this tight fiscal period.  It shows your dedication and your determination to ensure that everyone gets the services they need.  

So in closing Minister Matthews, please take our thanks back to Premier Wynne for your Government's vision and commitment to 'walk the talk' and to invest in community.   

We believe that by working together we can be part of building an integrated community health and wellbeing system --- a system that is all about keeping people --- and the communities where they live --- healthy and strong.

Today's announcement is a giant step forward in making this happen.

Merci.

Adrianna Tetley, CEO AOHC with Centre Francophone de Toronto Board Chair, Louise Hurteau and Minister Deb Matthews