KENORA / NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO – August 20, 2026 – Patients and health advocates in Northwestern Ontario are calling for major changes to the province’s Northern Health Travel Grant, saying the current system falls short for people who must travel long distances for specialist care.
For many residents of Kenora and surrounding communities, seeing a specialist means a road trip of hundreds of kilometres to Thunder Bay or further, often requiring overnight hotel stays and meals away from home. This is especially difficult for patients undergoing cancer treatment or dealing with other serious illnesses.
Local doctors and patients have raised concerns that the existing grant rates do not adequately cover the real costs of travel, accommodation and meals. Some say the application process is cumbersome and reimbursements are slow, adding financial stress at an already difficult time.
Advocates are urging the provincial government to increase reimbursement rates, simplify the claims process, and better reflect the distances and limited transportation options faced by northern residents. The issue has been raised repeatedly by health partners and municipal leaders across the region as access to specialized care remains a persistent challenge in Northwestern Ontario.
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