Part of over $1.1 billion investment to support operational improvements and ensure Ontarians can continue to access high-quality hospital care in their community
Kitchener— The Ontario government is investing $25,441,500 to support improved operations and reduced wait times for hospitals in Waterloo Region, including the Waterloo Regional Health Network and Cambridge Memorial Hospital. This funding is part of a $1.1 billion investment into the hospital sector as part of Budget 2026, A Plan to Protect Ontario, which represents a 4 per cent increase in annual support for the fourth year in a row.
“Families across Waterloo Region deserve high-quality convenient care close to home,” said Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. “Through this investment, our government is supporting the exceptional care that our local hospitals provide and the outstanding work these healthcare professionals do each and every day.”
This investment will support the operations of Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Waterloo Regional Health Network’s core clinical services so they can better meet patient needs.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in Waterloo Region can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will allow Waterloo Region Health Network to continue delivering the highest standard of care while reducing wait lists and wait times for patients and families, for generations to come.”
Ontario continues to make historic investments in health care. Over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $64 billion in major health infrastructure. This is part of the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, which will deliver approximately 3,000 new hospital beds to enhance access to quality care and build a connected, people-first health-care system.
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is expanding access to key services to provide people with the right care, in the right place, close to come.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“Our government is making significant investments to ensure families in Cambridge and across Waterloo Region have access to the high-quality hospital care they deserve. This funding will strengthen the exceptional care provided at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, helping reduce wait times, support frontline health care workers and ensure patients can access the services they need closer to home. We are continuing to build a stronger, more connected health care system for our growing community and the greater Waterloo Region.
- Brian Riddell, MPP for Cambridge
“Strong local hospitals are at the heart of a healthy community. This investment will help ensure families in Cambridge and across Waterloo Region can continue to access timely, high-quality care close to home. I’m grateful to everyone at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Waterloo Region Health Network for the compassion, professionalism and dedication they show patients every single day.”
- Jess Dixon, MPP Kitchener South – Hespeler
“We appreciate the Ontario government’s continued investment in local health across Waterloo Region,” says Ron Gagnon, President and CEO of Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). “This funding will support the care our communities rely on everyday. As one of the fastest-growing communities in the province, these investments are essential to address the increasing number and complexity of the patients who seek care at our hospitals and ensure that timely, high-quality care continues to be available, close to home.”
- Ron Gagnon, President and CEO of Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN).
“As our community continues to grow, so does the demand for hospital services. This investment will help us improve patient access to care, enhance patient flow throughout the hospital and ensure we have the capacity to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”
- Stephanie Pearsall, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Chief Nursing Executive, Cambridge Memorial Hospital
QUICK FACTS
- Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) will receive an additional $17,991,400 for their operating budget for 2026-2027
Cambridge Memorial Hospital will receive an additional $7,450,100 to their operation budget for 2026-2027.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES