New Brampton cancer centre gets greenlight from the province

Brampton is finally getting its own cancer treatment centre.

The province committed to helping fund a new $365-million cancer treatment centre in Brampton after a motion by Brampton-Centre NDP MPP Sara Singh passed with support from both the opposition NDP and Doug Ford’s PC government last Thursday (March 31).

The new centre will be part of the Brampton Civic Hospital campus and is in addition to the Peel Memorial Urgent Care Centre expansion, which also saw a renewed commitment from the province on Sunday.

The province’s commitment to the cancer centre adds to funding from both the City of Brampton and the William Osler Hospital System.

The city’s portion of the projects come in at $125 million.

Brampton has already covered half the bill by transferring $62.5 million from capital reserves, and council passed a motion last week which could see Brampton residents pay a 1 per cent tax levy to help pay for the hospital upgrade and new cancer treatment centre.

The city needs to plug the remaining $62.5 million funding gap by 2027.

The combined cost of both projects is an estimated $1.1 billion, with the city and Osler required to fund a local share of $250 million.

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Brampton residents need to travel to either Mississauga or Toronto for cancer treatment, and the number of cancer cases in William Osler’s catchment area is expected to double over the next 20 years.

Singh said the approval “is a victory for families in Brampton,” allowing cancer to access radiation treatments quickly and close to home.

The tax levy to help raise funds for Brampton’s healthcare projects was proposed by Coun. Pat Fortini who said borrowing money for healthcare “is the right thing to do,” while others expressed concerns of a tax increase after promising residents a 0 pre cent freeze in December.

Council could make the tax hike official at its regular meeting on Wednesday, which would require an amendment to the city budget.