Township Council has approved a new lease agreement that will bring an additional medical practice to the Port Carling Health Hub, expanding primary care options for residents.
At a recent meeting, Council authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute a lease with the Dr. Brenda Martin Medicine Professional Corporation for office space on the upper floor of the Hub, located at 147 Medora Street in Port Carling. The approval follows months of discussion after Dr. Martin approached the Township in July 2025 seeking to establish a family practice in Muskoka Lakes.
Township officials say they are pleased to support the addition of a new primary care provider, but emphasize that Dr. Martin’s clinic and the existing Nurse Practitioner clinic operated by the Cottage Country Family Health Team (CCFHT) are entirely separate organizations. The two practices will have their own staff, patient rosters, and operations.
Residents are being asked not to contact the CCFHT for information about Dr. Martin’s practice, as the Family Health Team will not be involved in administering or staffing the new clinic.
The Port Carling Health Hub, constructed in 2015 through significant community fundraising efforts, was designed as a community health centre to increase access to primary care in the region. Since 2016, the upper floor has been solely leased to the CCFHT.
Under the newly approved arrangement, the upper level will be divided into three sections:
- Dedicated CCFHT space: two exam rooms and one administration room
- Dedicated space for Dr. Martin: two exam rooms, one office, and one administration room
- Shared areas: all remaining upper-floor common spaces
As part of the agreement, Dr. Martin will lease the space for a nominal fee of $1 per year and will be responsible for any required leasehold improvements. The Township will continue to cover utilities, maintenance, and general building upkeep. Because the space is being provided at a nominal rate, the lease includes a requirement that it be used exclusively for primary health care services.
According to staff, Dr. Martin has reviewed and accepted the proposed terms.
A separate draft lease with similar provisions is currently under review by the Cottage Country Family Health Team. Staff note that the physician’s lease is being brought forward independently to expedite the establishment of the new practice.
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