ANTIGONISH, NS – The Sisters of St. Martha are formally ending their sponsorship of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, a move that concludes a 120-year stewardship and a 30-year 'Mission Assurance Agreement' (MAA) with the province. The change, effective September 30, 2026, will see the hospital’s policies and services brought into closer alignment with other facilities across Nova Scotia. The provincial Department of Health and Wellness confirmed it will not seek a new religious sponsor.
The congregation's decision to transfer the MAA to another Catholic agency stems from an inability to continue under the current agreement, with the stated aim of preserving the hospital's spiritual and ethical integrity. This shift signifies the termination of a specific, faith-based operational framework that has, until now, differentiated St. Martha’s from other provincial healthcare institutions.
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End of an Era in Faith-Based Healthcare
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha, founders of the hospital in 1906, announced their decision to conclude their sponsorship role on March 6, 2026. Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson acknowledged the Sisters’ extensive contributions, highlighting their impact on healthcare delivery, education, and the preparation of thousands of healthcare professionals. The province intends to honor the legacy of the Sisters’ commitment to the hospital and the northeastern Nova Scotia community.
The conclusion of the current MAA, renewed every two years, marks a transition towards a standardized operational model. This aligns St. Martha's policies and procedures with those of all other hospitals in Nova Scotia, which operate under a uniform system.
The Diocese of Antigonish, through its Bishop, has expressed support for the Sisters' decision, affirming their commitment to compassionate, faith-based care and the hospital's embodiment of "faith in action."
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Sources indicate that recent years have seen instances where the hospital's religious values have diverged from provincial health mandates, contributing to the decision to standardize operations. The Sisters of St. Martha have expressed sadness at the prospect of the hospital operating without a religious sponsor, noting that St. Martha’s was the sole Catholic hospital in Nova Scotia.
The MAA, in place since 1996, established a formal agreement between the congregation, the hospital, and the health authority. While ownership of the hospital was transferred to the government in 1996, the Sisters maintained their sponsorship role.