Accumulated news pieces concerning a variety of topics for those living in or visiting Muskoka.

Kruger Steps Down from Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee

In an open letter to the public on Friday, October 18, Bruce Kruger announced he is stepping down as chair of the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee.

In the letter, Kruger stated while unfortunate the committee has not reached its goal to secure an equal number of beds at the Bracebridge hospital site as its Huntsville counterpart, he was still proud of the “strong advocacy efforts” and public support that led to a significant increase from 14 to 46 beds in South Muskoka.

“I have consistently opposed MAHC’s secretive, greatly flawed and undemocratic process, along with their anticipated misguided report to the Minister of Health,” writes Kruger. “Our mandate of SSMH Committee, however, was to support the needs of the local physicians who have reached an agreement with MAHC regarding bed counts. After extensive discussions, the SSMH Committee has since decided to move in a direction which differs greatly from my own opinion, and that of our initial committee mandate. I respect their decision to do so.”

This new course being taken by the committee is why Kruger has decided to step down, according to his resignation letter. Though, despite disagreeing with the direction chosen, he wishes them success and thanks them for their time, efforts and respect shown.

Kruger notes he plans to continue opposing the site selection at 300 Pine Street in Bracebridge for the new South Muskoka Hospital.

“It is irresponsible knowing that it shall be an absolutely devastating detriment for the Town of Bracebridge and for any hope of future growth in generations to come, should it proceed,” writes Kruger about the site selection. “The extreme mismanagement, outlandish expense, and highly improper site selection process by MAHC , must be corrected, Their irresponsible actions for site selection must be strongly opposed. I shall present my views on this publicly at a later opportunity.”

Position Update from the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee

A day earlier, on Thursday, October 17, the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) clarified its position regarding the hospital redevelopment by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC).

Though pleased with the increase in beds, as announced by MAHC last week, the committee remains concerned about “ongoing, urgent and significant issues concerning the hospital redevelopment plans.

Issues concerning MAHC’s accountability, transparency and proper community consultation remain outstanding. Although an increase to 46 acute care beds is a significant improvement, it still does not meet the expectations of the community.

We have been waiting for over eight months for material questions to be answered with transparency, such as, the choice of site, transportation issues, ALC service enhancement and the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals as key elements of the hospital redevelopment.

With these issues up in the air, the committee maintains that there continues to be strong opposition in South Muskoka to the Made in Muskoka model.

Last week, the Chambers of Commerce of both Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes issued resolutions opposing the Made in Muskoka model and supporting a minimum 60-bed hospital for South Muskoka as set out in the Care Close to Home V2 model.

However, MAHC is moving forward with presenting the Made in Muskoka model to the province, despite a chorus of opposition in the communities.

“It remains the concern of the SSMHC that if South Muskoka will not have an equitable, full-service, acute care hospital in the future, that this result will have a lasting negative impact on the ability of South Muskoka to attract business, new residents and healthcare professionals and, in turn, negatively impact real estate demand and values in our community,” read the official statement from the committee.

“The SSMHC remains committed to the Care Close to Home V2 Model. This model calls for 60 acute care beds along with increased ALC capacity in our community,” according to the committee’s press release. “This model supports an equitable, two-site hospital which respects the realities of life in Muskoka while addressing the critical healthcare principles that will effectively support hospital care for all of Muskoka into the future.”

MPP Graydon Smith Sundridge Meet & Greet

On Saturday, October 19, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith will be at the Wing House in Sundridge from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a meet-and-greet event.

Smith says to swing by for some light refreshments and apps. It’s an opportunity to chat with the MPP about priorities for our communities in Parry Sound-Muskoka.

RSVP by completing the form at: https://graydonsmithmpp.ca/. This will help them plan for food and refreshments accordingly.

Nominate A Special Person for a King Charles III Coronation Medal

YWCA Muskoka has been asked to nominate two recipients to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal. 

The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation.

The Board of Directors of YWCA Muskoka would like to share this special opportunity with our community members.

The public is invited to nominate someone (all ages, all genders) who meets the criteria and is deserving of this medal. The deadline for nominations is October 31, 2024.

The Board of Directors will review any entries and forward two to YWCA Canada. YWCA Muskoka will present them at an awards ceremony on March 8, 2025 in Muskoka. The candidate must be present for this public presentation.

Guidelines and Fact Sheet.

Nomination Form.

Gravenhurst Councillor Reprimanded for Code of Conduct Breach

From our friends at www.MuskokaRadio.com: Gravenhurst Councillor Jo Morphy was reprimanded for breach of Code of Conduct, in the October 15 council meeting.

According to a letter to Council from the Town’s Integrity Commissioner, Suzanne Craig, she received a complaint about Morphy on July 10, 2024, about allegedly breaching the Code of Conduct in a public meeting by disclosing confidential information from a closed meeting.

The letter indicates that according to The Code “A Member has a duty to hold any information received at closed meetings in strict confidence for as long and as broadly as the confidence applies.”

After investigating the matter, the Commissioner provided Council with recommendations for dealing with it, including “a penalty of reprimand” and an information session with the Clerk’s office to discuss the Town’s procedure By-law and other processes relating to confidentiality from closed meetings.

Craig advised that the consequences were up to Council, and that they “may accept, change or vary her decisions, or not accept them.”

Morphy said that once she realized she made the error she reported it to the Commissioner, apologized about the incident, and didn’t “do this with any purpose.” She added, “I made an error.”

Morphy also indicated that she believed the Commissioner’s reprimand is fair and is “prepared to move forward with the recommendations.”

Some Council members indicated that the mistake wasn’t intentional, and she reported it, and they believed that an apology was enough.

Councillor, Peter Johnston, said that the matter “is an example of an incident that might have more appropriately been referred to Council.”

He added that they have “lost a sense of balance” in the world regarding responses “to real or perceived wrongdoing.” He also suggested the recommendation is “disproportionate to the wrongdoing.”

Council agreed it was still a Code violation and approved the Commissioner’s recommendations out of fairness, in addition to having staff read the Official Statement of Reprimand.

CMHA Opens New Gravenhurst Office

From our friends at www.MuskokaRadio.com: The Canadian Mental Health Association Muskoka-Parry Sound celebrated the grand opening of its new Gravenhurst office yesterday.

The new location aims to provide essential mental health and addiction services, including counseling and crisis intervention, making support more accessible for residents.

Executive Director Diane Brown-Demarco expressed excitement about extending their reach within the community.

Graydon Smith, MPP, for Parry Sound – Muskoka said he was thrilled to see CMHA Muskoka-Parry Sound expanding its services with the opening of this new office in Gravenhurst.

“This vital addition to the community will provide much needed access to mental health and addiction services, supporting the well-being of residents across the region,” he said.