Hamilton owes Ontario over $9M for COVID-19 dental care program

Hamilton Public Health owes the province more than $9 million. The money was set aside for COVID-19 response and the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, and was supposed to be used last year.

According to the medical officer of health, because of the funding agreement with the province, the money can’t be used elsewhere, despite both the mayor and councillors pointing out a need in the city for that money.

Public health says the money wasn’t spent because many programs weren’t running at full capacity last year because of staffing issues.