Ontario ready to commit $1 billion to build new Brampton hospital

Brampton is one step closer to getting a second hospital now that the Ontario government plans to spend up to $1 billion on the project.

That’s the expectation of Mayor Patrick Brown, who today confirmed Queen’s Park has issued a $1-billion tender to upgrade the old Peel Memorial Hospital site that, when completed, will stand with Brampton Civic as the city’s second full-time health centre.

Brown hopes construction could begin as early as 2023.

“The fact the tender’s been issued means we’re in uncharted territory. I know there’s been talk of a second hospital, but we’ve never actually seen a tender issued,” Brown said in an interview with insauga.com publisher Khaled Iwamura.

Brown said the $1-billion tender amount is a substantial commitment, which gives him confidence the project will come to fruition.

Although the City of Brampton is not part of the tendering process or the eventual building of the facility, Brown said he has been in contact with Ontario Premier Doug Ford regarding how the project will proceed.

“I expect we’re going to see a visit from the Premier very soon,” Brown said. “We’ve already been communicating with his office and the hospital in terms of a date to come and get the process officially underway.”