ANTIGONISH – Pioneers of healthcare here – across the country and around the world – have decided to end their sponsorship of the hospital that proudly bears their name.
Nova Scotia Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson announced March 6 that the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Martha had informed the provincial government it will conclude its role as sponsors of the Mission Assurance Agreement (MAA) for Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital. The pact – one between the Congregation, the Department of Health and Wellness, and Nova Scotia Health (NSH) – has been in effect since the province took ownership of the hospital in 1996. The MAA was designed to ensure the hospital’s operations, mission and values remained aligned with the religious principles of the founders – the Sisters.
“We have been talking about when it would be a good time to invite new sponsorship,” Congregation Leader Sister Brendalee Boisvert told The Journal.
Noting that the agreement is renewed every two years on September 30, with the next one scheduled for later this year, she explained their decision wasn’t made overnight. The Sisters – at their general chapter gathering in 2024 – a commitment was made to end its role in the MAA during “our five years of leadership.”
“We believe that St. Martha’s is responding well and living the values of its mission well, and this decision was in no way due to the state of the healthcare system. It was just time for a new group to oversee the sponsorship,” Boisvert said.
She also explained that, unlike in the past when there more Marthas in nursing, along with hospital operations and administration, the focus on healthcare as one of its ministries has decreased.
Along with informing the province that they were stepping away from the sponsorship agreement, the Congregation recommended that the MAA continue with Catholic Health International from New Brunswick, which Boisvert indicated “has assisted several other women religious congregations to transfer the responsibility of sponsorship as congregations are becoming smaller and the age demographics indicate it is time.
“We believed it was time to invite a new sponsor who is in this work consistently,” she added.
In her statement on the pending transition, Thompson said her department and NSH “looked at options for the future of the hospital and the care provided there,” including the Sisters’ request to consider the possibility of another sponsor. “After review and careful consideration, the decision was made not to move forward with a new sponsor,” she wrote.
In a follow-up interview with The Journal, the provincial minister and Antigonish MLA said, “It was decided that we would more closely align the services and policies at St. Martha’s with other hospitals across Nova Scotia. It’s too early to talk about what that will look like on the ground when the agreement has concluded. We know community representation is an important part of healthcare, and that will be a key element teams will have to look at as part of the overall work moving forward during this process.”
Indicating that the potential of bringing on a new sponsor was “investigated” but – noting how the Sisters built the hospital “from the ground up” and know it and the community “intimately” – it would not be captured in the same way, she said.
Boisvert told The Journal the Sisters were “saddened by the news” that the province is “not open to begin a relationship with a new sponsor.”
She said, “Saddened but, if they do not feel it is the way for them to move forward, it is best for them to come out now. This kind of relationship needs all parties to be committed to it. We have had that support over the past 30 years and that is why it has worked so well.”
In a statement issued on the province’s decision, the Sisters added that they are “hopeful that the DNA of the mission will live on through this new structure.”
Noting its founding in 1906 – as St. Martha’s Hospital – the Sisters described their belief that “it is a treasure and has been good for this community and surrounding areas for the past 120 years.”
When the hospital was transferred to the province in 1996, the Congregation said it was approached by people from the town and county, asking them “to help oversee that the mission would continue.” The statement explained that, “with due diligence,” the MAA was brokered – one that remains – between the Sisters, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, the health authority at that time and the provincial government through the health minister. As part of that agreement, a Mission Assurance Advisory Council (MAAC) was created, which in its current form includes representatives from the Sisters, NSH, Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital site lead, an ethicist, community and hospital representatives, physicians, clergy and the spiritual care department.
Boisvert noted that discussions over the past few years have been related to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), which St. Martha’s has been exempt from providing as part of the 1996 agreement. In 2019, with the threat of court challenges after its legalization by the federal government, MAiD began to be provided at the Antigonish Health and Wellness Centre, which is part of the complex.
“I don’t think we’ve had any official meetings,” she said regarding abortion and transgender care.
Boisvert explained that, at the moment, MAiD “does not happen inside the four walls of St. Martha’s … Although a fine line, we support this. Some of the information is incorrect that says we changed our mind.”
She said the Sisters are “proud” of the contributions staff and personnel have made over the past 120 years, in particular the past 30. She also praised the contributions of MAAC members, who have “given their time and wisdom …”
“We celebrate that legacy, their leadership and collaborative spirit which has served the mission committee and the mission assurance council,” Boisvert said.
In her March 6 statement, Thompson wrote, “When the current agreement concludes, the services and policies at St. Martha’s will more closely align with all other hospitals across Nova Scotia.”
When asked what ‘most closely align with’ involves, she told The Journal, “As a facility that provides faith-based care, St. Martha’s has its own policies, procedures, and stipulations around the delivery of healthcare, whereas all other hospitals follow the same policies and procedures. For example, MAID is a service that is available in hospitals in Nova Scotia, but at St. Martha’s it is available at an adjacent facility.
“Part of the work that will take place will be to see what policies, procedures and services may need to be aligned with the work happening in other hospitals. However, any changes that may come won’t take place until after the agreement ends and will take into account the processes in place to make such decisions like facility capacity, staffing and provider need.”
Noting that she “didn’t have any of those details,” Thompson agreed there is work to do over the coming weeks and months. Because the Sisters “gave us plenty of time” with ample notice, there will be “more conversation” on what things will look like after the sponsorship agreement ends, which will include the Congregation and other community stakeholders.
“We will work together to conclude the agreement over the coming months. We will honour the legacy of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha and the longstanding commitment they have had to the hospital and the community of Antigonish and northeastern Nova Scotia,” she said in her statement.
One thing Thompson assured will not change is the pastoral unit at St. Martha’s, noting that funding is part of the NSH budget.
As part of the ongoing process, she stressed to The Journal the importance of “embedding” the history of the Sisters, offering that their “120 years of service and stewardship have had an immeasurable impact on healthcare and are deeply rooted and felt throughout the community.” She explained it includes “much more than the delivery of exemplary care,” noting the Sisters’ contribution to the education and preparation of thousands of healthcare professionals including nurses, lab technicians and X-ray technicians.
“We will ensure that their legacy will never be forgotten,” Thompson said.
‘Unwavering commitment’
Since last week’s announcement, there has been an outpouring of praise for the Congregation and its impact on healthcare not only in Antigonish, but also across northeastern Nova Scotia and around the world, with Town of Antigonish Mayor Sean Cameron describing the Marthas as “pillars of leadership and service in Antigonish for more than a century.”
“For generations they helped build the foundation of local healthcare – leading with devotion, care, and compassion. Their vision and commitment were instrumental in creating the facilities we rely on today — having built two hospitals before the current St. Martha’s Regional Hospital was constructed in the 1980s. Without their foresight and financial backing, it’s hard to imagine what kind of healthcare facility we would have in Antigonish,” he said. “As they conclude their formal sponsorship of the hospital, on behalf of the Town of Antigonish, I want to express our deep appreciation to the Sisters for the countless ways they have supported, strengthened, and cared for this community. We thank the Sisters for all they have given and look forward to carrying their spirit of service into the future.”
Warden Nicholas MacInnis of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish said the Congregation is “truly appreciated” for its “unwavering commitment” to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and the communities it serves.
“For more than a century, their leadership and compassion have shaped healthcare in our region, leaving an immeasurable and lasting impact. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and service,” he added.
The future
Moving forward, Boisvert offered, “We don’t know what the future holds but we do know who holds the future … a loving compassionate God. May the values that make St. Martha’s a special place find the resilience to live into the future.”
Nevertheless, she described the loss of a Catholic hospital as “significant.”
“It is the end of an era. However, I also believe that at least the folks who are there now will continue to live their best compassionate selves for years to come. That spirit of Catholic values will continue for years to come.”
The Journal will continue to cover the transition, and any related issues, as it unfolds.
