Casino dollars to recruit doctors

City councillors voted unanimously Monday night to contribute $353,000 in windfall revenue from the Sault charity casino to a "war chest" to recruit physicians.

"The intent here is not just for a one-year commitment," said the City's chief administrative officer, Joe Fratesi, who suggested applying the casino surplus to the Soo's doctor shortage.

"The intent is to make an ongoing commitment," Fratesi said.

The casino is producing revenues considerably in excess of original projections.

Even after using casino monies to pay the City's commitment to a new hospital, and for added fire and police protection, there was an unexpected surplus of more than $300,000.

Council voted Monday to apply that surplus to a reserve account to be used as the City's contribution to medical recruitment efforts.

Other partners in recruiting include Sault Area Hospitals, the Group Health Centre, the Algoma Academy of Medicine and the private sector.

Some partners, such as Sault Area Hospitals, are expected to contribute substantial funds to the effort. Others, such as the Algoma Academy of Medicine, will donate their time.

Until now, Sault Ste. Marie wasn't even part of the game of physician recruitment underway in many Canadian communities, Fratesi said.

"This is not a donation to a charitable organization," he said of the $353,000 commitment.

Rather, the money is an important investment in the medical needs of the community, he told the meeting.

The recruiting partnership is expected to have organized itself and developed a plan within about two weeks, Fratesi said.

Council has earmarked future casino surpluses for the same purpose, subject to an annual review at budget time.

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