For half a century, our clinic in Casselman, ON, Canada has been a beacon of hope and health for the residents of our town and the surrounding areas. My mother dedicated 44 years of her life to this place, and I have committed two decades myself. For the past 17 years, I have been working tirelessly to recruit physicians to ensure that we continue providing quality healthcare services.

However, our efforts are being undermined by an unjust system. Our clinic's RIO (Rurality Index for Ontario) score is currently at 39 - one point short of qualifying us for additional funding that would significantly aid in recruiting physicians. This score is determined based on population density; however it fails to consider that our clinic serves not only Casselman but also patients from surrounding areas.

Our struggle is not just about numbers or funding; it's about real people who depend on us for their health needs. If we cannot secure more funding through an increased RIO score, our beloved clinic risks closure - leaving countless individuals without accessible healthcare.

We urge the relevant authorities to reconsider and increase Casselman’s RIO score from 39 to 40. This small change could make a big difference in keeping our doors open.

Please join us in this fight by signing this petition today! Let's work together towards securing better healthcare access for everyone in Casselman and beyond.