Essex County supports LaSalle in asking province to establish Northern Health Travel Grant locally

By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

The Town of LaSalle is calling upon the Provincial government and Ministry of Health to establish a grant system similar to the Northern Health Travel Grant program in Windsor-Essex County.

The idea is to provide support to the regional residents who need to travel long distances for specialized medical services or procedures at ministry funded healthcare facilities.

LaSalle sent its stance via a letter to all municipalities looking for support, in addition to Premier Doug Ford, MPP Anthony Leardi, MPP Andrew Dowie, and Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, Sylvia Jones. The County of Essex will also send a letter of support to the Minister of Health, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and local MPPs.

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche explained a resident brought this matter to her attention, who has to travel outside of the region to receive medical care for their child. After conducting some research, they learned of the Northern Health Travel Grant program, which she explained can assist anyone who has to travel more than 100km for medical care with costs in that region.

Meloche said, in looking at seeing the number of families traveling up the 401 for medical care, she would like to see the program expanded. She hoped the County would support approaching the province about the initiative, as well.

“Here in Windsor-Essex, even though we are not rural like the northern areas, our residents are still having to travel distances, and it is a very big burden on them when they are trying to deal with the health of their little ones,” Meloche said. “Hopefully, we can get someone at the upper-levels to listen to us and realize the need is this way as well.”

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy noted Town of Essex Council also supported LaSalle in its request. She spoke of how the County has sent an invitation to the local MPPs to attend a County Council meeting, and would like this issue discussed at that time. She sees this as a real issue.