The Province of Nova Scotia announced on March 6, 2026, that St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish will transition to a fully provincial model of care after its religious sponsorship ends this fall. This change means the hospital will move away from its faith-based roots to follow the same rules as all other public hospitals in the province.
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha, who founded the facility in 1906, gave notice that they are ending their role as sponsors under a special agreement that has been in place since 1996. This agreement is now set to finish on September 30, 2026.
According to the provincial government, officials looked at different options for the future of the facility but decided not to search for a new sponsor. Instead, Nova Scotia Health will align the hospital’s services and local policies with provincial standards once the current deal expires.
Michelle Thompson, the Minister of Health and Wellness, stated that the province is working closely with the congregation to manage the transition over the coming months. This decision marks the end of a 120-year legacy of direct involvement by the Sisters of St. Martha at the regional hospital.
