Construction on Brampton’s second hospital officially began last week, following a groundbreaking ceremony held on March 28. Ontario Premier Doug Ford attended the event alongside local officials, marking the culmination of years of planning and a long-awaited step forward for healthcare in the region. This milestone follows the province’s initial announcement four years ago to fund the expansion of the Peel Memorial Urgent Care Centre into a full-service hospital, complete with 250 new beds and a 24-hour emergency room.
“This is a significant milestone in our ongoing effort to make healthcare more connected and convenient right here in Brampton and across Ontario,” Premier Ford stated at the ceremony. He also highlighted the dual significance of the day, noting that not only is it the 100th anniversary of Peel Memorial, a hospital that has long served the community, but it also marks the beginning of the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
The project, however, has faced multiple delays since it was first approved in March 2021. Originally, construction was slated to begin in 2023, with an estimated completion date set for 2027. However, the timeline has been pushed back twice, first to 2024 and then again to 2025. The cost of the project has also escalated considerably. Initially estimated at $1.1 billion for both the new hospital and a proposed cancer treatment center at Brampton Civic Hospital, the price tag has now climbed to $2.3 billion, according to the city. It remains unclear whether this updated figure includes the cancer center.
As of now, Brampton Civic Hospital is the city’s only full-service hospital and has one of the busiest emergency rooms in Canada. Given the city’s rapidly growing population—recently surpassing Mississauga to become Ontario’s third-largest city—demand for healthcare services has only intensified. In response, Brampton City Council declared a “healthcare emergency” in 2020, and discussions about the need for a third hospital are already underway.
Despite the challenges, Mayor Patrick Brown expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s commencement. “Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make today a reality. Your dedication is the heart of this project,” Brown said. He also extended gratitude to the province, local council, donors, and staff involved in the effort.
To date, $81.1 million in reserves has been allocated for the new hospital, with an additional $4.9 million raised through a one-percent annual tax levy initiated in 2022. This levy is specifically dedicated to the local share of funding required by the province’s funding model. The city is responsible for half of the required local contribution, with the William Osler Health System, which operates hospitals in both Brampton and Etobicoke, covering the other half.
The city council has also allocated $10 million in the 2025 budget for the new Toronto Metropolitan University medical school, which is set to open in the fall.
Frank Martino, President and CEO of the William Osler Health System, expressed his appreciation for the ongoing commitment to healthcare in Brampton, saying, “This is a historic time for health care in Brampton. The investments prioritized in the 2025 Budget will ensure that our community has access to world-class services for generations to come.”
With construction now underway, the new hospital marks a critical step toward meeting the healthcare needs of Brampton’s growing population.
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