Canada's Ontario Government is set to enhance mental health and addiction support services in the Thunder Bay region with the construction of a new emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area.

It is set to be built at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones said: “Our government is making record investments to connect more people to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.

“By building a new assessment and observation area at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, our government is ensuring people and families in Thunder Bay and across northwestern Ontario have faster access to mental health and addiction support services for years to come.”

The investment will equip the hospital with the necessary resources to provide responsive care.

This upcoming mental health area is designed to offer a safe and private environment for patient and family care alongside modern facilities for medical staff to assess individuals.

The new facility will feature direct access from the emergency department triage, improving the patient experience.

It will also focus on enhanced programming and care plan development, prioritising patient-centred treatment decisions.

This development is part of the ministry's collaboration with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for early planning and design.

A construction timeline will be established post-completion of the planning phase and subsequent project tendering and awarding.

Mental Health and Addictions associate minister Michael Tibollo said: "The creation of this new mental health and addictions assessment and observation area in Thunder Bay represents a significant step forward in delivering the continuum of care our government is committed to providing.”

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre serves as a training ground for students from Northern Ontario School of Medicine University and other medical educational institutions.