The City of Port Colborne is working with healthcare providers, community partners and other levels of government to improve access to healthcare services in our community.
Like many communities, Port Colborne faces challenges including access to primary care, increasing demand for community-based health services and changing healthcare needs as our community grows and ages.
Our work is guided by the Community Health & Wellness Action Plan, which provides a long-term, evidence-based approach to strengthening healthcare in Port Colborne.
Community Health & Wellness Action Plan
In August 2026, City Council approved Port Colborne’s first Community Health & Wellness Action Plan.
The Plan was developed using local health and demographic data, research, advice from healthcare professionals and extensive community engagement. Residents, healthcare providers, community organizations and priority populations helped identify local needs and shape a shared vision:
Connected Care, Close to Home, for Every Stage of Life.
The Action Plan identifies eight areas where the City can focus its efforts, partnerships and advocacy:
- Primary Care
- After-Hours Care
- Team-Based Care
- Diagnostics & Lab Services
- Visiting Specialists
- Co-Located Services
- Transportation & Access
- Tracking & Reporting
Together, these priorities provide a roadmap for improving access to care, addressing health equity and supporting a healthier community.
View the Community Health & Wellness Action Plan
Download a PDF of the Community Health & Wellness Action Plan [PDF/61.6MB]
What happens next?
Approval of the Action Plan is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the City's work.
The City is now moving forward with the priorities identified in the Plan, including building partnerships, advocating for healthcare investment and services, supporting efforts to attract healthcare professionals, and exploring opportunities to bring more services together in the community.
City Council has also directed staff to develop a comprehensive business case for a community health hub in Port Colborne.
Healthcare Advisory Committee
The Healthcare Advisory Committee was established by City Council in March 2025 to provide advice and expertise on local healthcare needs and opportunities.
The Committee includes healthcare professionals, community representatives and members of Council. It played an important role in developing the Community Health & Wellness Action Plan by reviewing local data and research, hearing from healthcare experts and community partners, considering public feedback and providing recommendations to Council.
The Committee continues to support the City as work moves from planning to implementation.
Committee meetings, agendas and minutes
Advocating for Port Colborne
While the City does not operate Ontario's healthcare system, we can play an important role in bringing partners together and advocating for the services our community needs.
The City continues to work with the Province of Ontario, Niagara Health, Ontario Health, healthcare providers and community partners to advance Port Colborne's healthcare priorities.
Our advocacy has focused on issues including:
- access to family doctors and primary care teams;
- maintaining access to urgent and after-hours care;
- attracting healthcare professionals;
- expanding community-based healthcare services;
- addressing health equity and barriers to accessing care; and
- planning for healthcare services that meet Port Colborne's long-term needs.
Our Healthcare Journey
Port Colborne's current healthcare work builds on several years of research, community engagement and advocacy.
2024
2025
2026
What's next?
With the Community Health & Wellness Action Plan in place, the City's work is moving from planning to implementation.
The City will continue working with healthcare providers, community partners and other levels of government to advance the Plan's priorities, advocate for local services and investment, and explore opportunities to improve access to care in Port Colborne.