Infrastructure Ontario and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) have selected Pomerleau as their preferred proponent to develop the project requirements and design, pricing, and risk parameters for the WAHA redevelopment project in Ontario’s first progressive public-private partnership project.

The progressive P3 approach involves both a development phase agreement with the development partner and – upon the conclusion of the development phase – a design-build-finance P3 project agreement to implement the project.

Pomerleau, which is being supported by designers Kasian Architects Ontario Inc. and Bertrand Wheeler Architecture Inc., will work with IO and WAHA under a development phase agreement, as well as with the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Services Canada, to further define and refine project requirements to advance the design of the facility and confirm fixed pricing.

Beginning soon, the Pomerleau team will engage with local communities along the James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, in order to ensure the design and development process for the project is responsive to the needs of the Indigenous communities it is intended to serve. This will include outreach to ensure Indigenous economic participation in terms of subcontracts for labour, materials, equipment, services and trades required for the project.

Construction is expected to begin in 2024, following conclusion of the development phase. Infrastructure Ontario's November P3 Market Update document values the project at between $200 million and $499 million.

WAHA provides healthcare services to people living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, many of whom are of Cree lineage.

The WAHA redevelopment project involves the construction of a new hospital, Elder Care Lodge, visitor hostel and staff accommodations in Moosonee and a new Ambulatory Care Centre on Moose Factory Island.

The new health campus in Moosonee will include 36 inpatient beds, in private rooms; a larger emergency department; modern surgical suites; expanded mental health and addictions programming; traditional Healing; a 32-bed Elder Care Lodge; a hostel for patients and visitors; and residences for staff. 

The new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island, meanwhile, will include: emergency health services; access to primary health care; diagnostic imaging capabilities; traditional healing and spirituality; and health promotion programming

Once complete, the new facilities will support WAHA in providing exceptional, culturally sensitive healthcare to patients and clients living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, many of whom are Indigenous.