MAHC Responds, Bringing Future Planning Back on Track

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) has a proven track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders and has established a Capital Plan Development Task Force to lead MAHC’s future planning work. The task force is largely comprised of community members and has municipal representation which includes the Mayors of Huntsville and Bracebridge, the Reeve of Burk’s Falls and the CAO of the District of Muskoka.

The task force began its work in August 2017 and is working together to follow a capital planning process to plan for MAHC’s future. Recent events are threatening to interfere with and derail the process, and are detracting from these efforts. MAHC is disappointed this is occurring, and reluctantly issued a letter to the Mayor of Huntsville and Town Council to try to get the process back on track.

MAHC is not suing anyone. The letter was sent on behalf of the MAHC Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team to address: the Mayor’s false, misleading and defamatory comments about MAHC in the media; and Huntsville Town Council’s motion calling for the dismissal of the MAHC Board and CEO and to dissolve the organization, which seeks to undermine public confidence in MAHC and its leaders.

“We understand there are concerns about possible models, and want to assure the community and council we are listening to their feedback,” says Board Chair Evelyn Brown.  “I want to be clear that the Board and the CEO have not made any decisions with respect to future planning, except to ensure that we follow the process outlined by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.”

“The Capital Plan Development Task Force is close to bringing forward to the Board of Directors its recommendation for a preferred model,” Brown adds. “The task force needs time to do its work. The community and council can continue to have confidence that the 25-member task force, with its broad membership, will duly consider all feedback and information when evaluating the models to arrive at the best recommendation for safe, high-quality sustainable care in the future.”

For more information about MAHC’s future planning work, visit www.mahc.ca/planning-for-the-future.