Ontario Investing Over $800k to Expand Nursing Enrollment in Thunder Bay – Atikokan
November 14, 2025
Investment in the nursing program at Lakehead University will train up to 80 more nurses to connect people to care in Thunder Bay – Atikokan
November 14th 2025
THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect the province’s health-care system by investing $800,320 to expand enrolment in nursing programs at Lakehead University. This investment will help build the pipeline of highly skilled nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses that are needed to meet the growing need for more nurses in Thunder Bay – Atikokan hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres and primary care clinics.
“I’m pleased to see this investment in nursing education in Thunder Bay,” said the Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “By expanding enrolment at Lakehead University, we’re helping more students gain the skills they need to build meaningful careers in health care while strengthening the delivery of care in our hospitals, long-term care homes, and clinics. This investment ensures that people across Northwestern Ontario can access the quality care they deserve.”
“Nurses are an integral part of Ontario’s health care system, providing life-saving and compassionate care when patients need it the most,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is growing our critical health care workforce and protecting Ontario’s access to excellent care, close to home, now and into the future.”
This funding is part of a larger $56.8 million investment to expand enrolment in nursing programs across the province, adding 2,200 nursing professionals to Ontario’s health care workforce by 2029 to meet the growing need for more nurses in Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres and primary care clinics.
“Our government is continuing to take bold action to protect Ontario’s health-care system,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By ensuring more people can become nurses in Ontario, we are building on our progress to strengthen the province’s world-class nursing workforce for years to come.”
As part of this investment, Ontario is expanding registration in online nursing pathways.
These programs will enable personal support workers and registered practical nurses to
advance their education and continue serving their communities.
“We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for this investment in nursing education. By adding new seats at Lakehead, we can train more nurses with the skills and compassion needed to serve Northern Ontario, Simcoe County, and communities across the province.” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice Chancellor, Lakehead University” This support strengthens our ability to prepare graduates who are ready to make an immediate impact in Ontario’s health-care system.”
As a critical step in connecting everyone in Ontario to excellent care, our government continues to make decisive investments into college and university programs that strengthen our workforce of tomorrow and protect Ontario for generations to come.
“Our government is improving long-term care by training, hiring and retaining thousands of health-care workers,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “As a Registered Nurse, I know how impactful these investments will be to ensure we have the staff to deliver high quality care to Ontario’s long-term care residents.”
QUICK FACTS
- Since 2018, Ontario has supported a record-breaking number of new health-care professionals in joining the workforce, adding nearly 100,000 new nurses to the workforce, with another 30,000 students currently studying at Ontario colleges and universities to become nurses.
- Through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, the government is increasing the number of nurses, paramedics and medical laboratory technologists in communities of greatest need across the province.
- Since its launch in 2023–24, the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant has provided over $95 million in support to more than 8,200 students.
- Through this investment, 15,000 users will be able to register in the online nursing pathway programs.
- This investment also includes $7.5M for universities to upgrade their nursing equipment and laboratory facilities.
- In June, Ontario announced it is expanding its nursing workforce with a $4.2 million investment to accelerate nursing programs and add seats in rural and northern programs.
Additional Resources
2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
Ontario Continues to Expand Nursing Workforce