Gananoque council has approved a plan to fund physician recruitment incentives directly through the municipal tax levy as part of the 2026 operating budget, aiming to strengthen efforts to attract family doctors to the community.
In doing so, the town has joined other communities in the area who have adopted special tax measures in recent years to fund different aspects of health care, including Brockville and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
Gananoque council supported a resolution to create a dedicated budget line for the town’s physician experiential locum grant policy and physician recruitment grant program, two initiatives designed to encourage physicians to practise in Gananoque.
Under the motion, the town will allocate up to $42,500 annually from the general tax levy to support the programs, beginning with the 2026 budget.
The decision comes as funding for municipal grants tied to casino slot revenue has declined, reducing the amount available for community initiatives and physician recruitment incentives that previously relied on that funding source.
Gananoque first introduced its experiential locum grant policy in August 2023 to help bring physicians to the community on a trial basis, allowing them to experience practising locally before committing long term.
A broader physician recruitment grant program was later established in July 2024, further to support attracting doctors to serve local residents.
In addition to securing ongoing funding for physician recruitment, council also approved reinstating the town’s community grants program, allocating $42,500 for that initiative in the 2026 operating budget.
The measures are intended to ensure stable, predictable funding for both physician attraction efforts and community grants despite fluctuating casino revenues.