Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario is marking the start of construction on a new long-term care residence at North York General Hospital, a project that will add 528 beds and modernize seniors’ care in Toronto’s north end.
The redevelopment will expand and upgrade the existing long-term care home and construction is expected to be completed in 2029. The government says the project will support more than 800 jobs, including construction roles and permanent health-care and administrative positions.
“Our government is investing over $236 billion in our plan to build hospitals, long-term care, roads, schools and other critical infrastructure so we can create good-paying jobs, protect workers and connect families to the high-quality care that they deserve,” Premier Doug Ford said at the ground-breaking. “Today’s ground-breaking means more than 500 residents in Toronto will have access to a world-class long-term care home for decades to come.”
The project received funding from the province’s Capital Funding Program and will feature 17 “resident home areas,” designed to house up to 32 residents each in more intimate, household-style settings. All residents will have private bedrooms and private washrooms, with direct access to outdoor terraces from each home area.
Also, shared amenities including as a great hall, café and lounge, worship centre, physiotherapy room, family suite for overnight stays, and outdoor courtyards facing east and west will be included. Once complete, the facility will be integrated with the broader campus of care, including proximity to North York General Hospital services and nearby community supports.
“Once construction is complete, 528 residents in the community will have a new home where they can receive the care they need, when they need it,” said Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta.
The development is part of Ontario’s commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province. Officials say 165 projects representing more than 26,000 beds are completed, under construction, or approved to proceed.
“This home began as a question: what would it look like if we built the long-term care home we would want for our own parents?” said North York General CEO Dr. Everton Gooden. “Today, we break ground on that promise.”
