This image depicts the type of EV charging station installed at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Courtesy Photo
WINCHESTER – A rural eastern Ontario hospital has received $100,000 in federal funding to install 20 electric vehicle charging stations on its property, and, according to officials at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH), it is the only hospital in Canada selected for support under the federal government’s new Automotive Strategy.
The program is investing more than $97 million in clean transportation initiatives across the country, aimed at expanding charging infrastructure and encouraging the shift toward electric vehicles.
Ten of the charging stations have already been installed and are operational, with the remaining units expected to be in place by the end of the summer.
A media release by the WDMH says the project reflects a broader shift in how people travel, even in smaller communities, and a growing need for public charging access. As electric vehicles become more common on local roads, accessible charging stations at key destinations such as hospitals are increasingly seen as essential infrastructure.
The chargers will be available to patients, visitors, staff and members of the community. For some rural residents travelling significant distances for appointments or visiting loved ones, the ability to recharge while parked at the hospital may help ease concerns about range and travel time.
The initiative also aligns with the hospital’s stated focus on sustainability and modernization. While hospitals are primarily centres of care, they are also significant community hubs, and investments like this help ensure the facility remains accessible and responsive to changing needs.
Information about charger locations, parking and usage details is available on the hospital’s website.
With the first phase already complete, the hospital’s parking lot is quietly becoming part of Canada’s broader transition toward cleaner transportation, one charging station at a time.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
