Belleville’s Mayor was positive and upbeat as he welcomed the city to a brand-new year on Thursday.
Mayor Neil Ellis addressed a large crowd of around 150 at the New Year’s Levee at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre New Year’s Day.
Ellis said everyone asks the same kinds of questions at this time of year. What does this year hold for my family, my city, and my country?
“They told us that we couldn’t solve the doctor shortage. We tackled it anyway because it was too important to ignore.”
In 2024, Belleville signed 11 doctors, but 14 were recruited in 2025, which is a new record for the city.
It also means that 25 doctors have been recruited in three years along with nine nurse practitioners.
“In 2026, we are launching the family doctor appreciation fund,” Ellis told the gathering.
“We have the opportunity to build, not just for today but for the future.”
Ellis says the city will be moving a number of things forward in 2026, noting they will be receiving federal money from the Housing Accelerator Fund, along with another $16 million to go towards the Loyalist Secondary Plan Wastewater Pumping Station.
The event featured a skate on the Wellness Centre ice following the main portion.
