Auto dealer matches $1,000,000 in donations to upgrade Brampton hospitals

Brampton’s health system is asking residents to help raise millions in matching donations to help transform the Peel Memorial Centre into a full-service hospital and pay for upgrades at Brampton Civic.

Auto dealer The Humberview Group, which has several dealerships in Brampton, has pledged to match every dollar donated to The William Osler Health System Foundation up to $1 million.

Osler, which oversees the operations at Brampton Civic, Peel Memorial and Etobicoke General Hospital, says the matched donations will help transform Peel Memorial into a new hospital for Brampton and bring expanded cancer care services to Brampton Civic.

John Esplen, Humberview’s president and CEO, is vice-chair of the foundation board and says he’s seen the impact that quality health care has on a community.

“Every great community deserves a great hospital, and we hope our matching gift will help inspire residents to get involved and support exceptional health care, close to home,” Esplen said in a statement.

RELATED: Billion dollar Peel Memorial Centre revamp one step closer to construction

Osler says its facilities saw more than 229,000 emergency and urgent care centre visits last year, and more than 497,000 outpatient visits.

Donations to the foundation will help enhance services at local hospitals and better meet the evolving health care needs in Brampton.

Matched donations to the William Osler Foundation can be made by visiting www.oslerfoundation.org.

Peel Memorial is slated for an upgrade, including a new 24-hour Emergency Department replacing the existing Urgent Care Centre, and 250 inpatient beds with space for more beds in the future.

There are also plans for rehabilitation and continuing care services, enhanced mental health and addictions services, and additional services for seniors.

The city’s portion of the Peel Memorial project and a new cancer centre coming to Brampton Civic Hospital will cost some $125 million, with Brampton already covering half the bill by transferring $62.5 million from capital reserves.

Council also passed a motion which will see Brampton residents pay a 1 per cent tax levy to help pay for the healthcare projects, as the city still needs to plug the remaining $62.5 million funding gap by 2027.