Sault Star story on Julian La Fortune\u2019s efforts shared on X by Dr. Alan Drummond, past-president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians<\/p>\n
Published Apr 22, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 4\u00a0days ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
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Perth, Ont., physician Dr. Alan Drummond\u2019s X page shares a story on Julian La Fortune\u2019s petition project.Article content<\/p>\n
Julian La Fortune is stoked his efforts to draw attention to Thessalon\u2019s emergency department woes appear to be getting healthy attention \u2013 and hits.<\/p>\n
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A\u00a0recent\u00a0Sault Star\u00a0story<\/a> on the Thessalon teen\u00a0launching\u00a0a petition, which he eventually wants delivered to Queen\u2019s Park, was shared on social media\u00a0by\u00a0veteran\u00a0Perth, Ont.,\u00a0family\/emergency physician\u00a0Dr. Alan Drummond,\u00a0once\u00a0heavily\u00a0involved in medical politics and a\u00a0strong\u00a0advocate\u00a0for the health of public health,\u00a0particularly advocating\u00a0for an improved standard of emergency care in Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Recommended Videos<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe actually posted my story on his X page and\u00a0gave\u00a0me a shout-out,\u201d said La Fortune.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the mouths of babes,\u201d wrote Drummond,\u00a0past-president\u00a0of the Canadian\u00a0Association\u00a0of Emergency Physicians,\u00a0whose campaign is currently well represented\u00a0on\u00a0social\u00a0media.\u00a0<\/p>\n La Fortune, 15, said this week he has also since been contacted by national media.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s getting to the national level,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n La Fortune, a Grade 9 student at Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS), launched a regional petition in mid-April, aiming to secure 2,000 signatures in a bid to shine brighter light on frequent closures at the town\u2019s hospital and \u201cextreme\u201d wait times at Sault Area Hospital, in Sault Ste. Marie.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He brands these health-care \u201cgaps\u201d a \u201ccritical failure\u201d of public safety and essential service delivery for residents of the North Shore and Algoma District. The petition calls on the province to provide emergency funding to the North Shore Health Network<\/a> (NSHN) to ensure the Thessalon emergency department remains open around the clock, implement a \u201crobust\u201d physician recruitment strategy specifically for Northern Ontario and allocate resources to Sault Area Hospital to reduce wait times to \u201cprovincial\u00a0safety\u00a0standards.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n La Fortune, 15, said he and\u00a0virtually everyone\u00a0he knows in and around the small community,\u00a090\u00a0kilometres\u00a0east of Sault Ste. Marie, can tell a story about being\u00a0impacted\u00a0by emergency department closures, which, as of late, happen\u00a0almost weekly.\u00a0<\/p>\n And that is exactly what he is hearing from those signing up; more than 150 have lent their names\u00a0as of earlier\u00a0this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve had first-hand experiences with the (doctor) shortages, stuff like that,\u201d La Fortune said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n A brother has helped, taking the petition to Thessalon First Nation,\u00a0businesses\u00a0have\u00a0posted\u00a0it,\u00a0teachers have circulated the\u00a0appeal, and more door knocking is planned.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thessalon now reports about 70 per cent of North Shore ED shutdowns compared to some 60 per cent early in the new year.\u00a0<\/p>\n