Toronto Metropolitan University To Open New Institution At The Spacious Bramalea Civic Centre
BRAMPTON: The City of Brampton, Government of Ontario, and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) have announced the City’s Bramalea Civic Centre will be home to the new Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine at 150 Central Park Drive in Brampton.
The Civic Centre is strategically located within the City’s health and life sciences cluster, and was selected for its proximity to both the Brampton Civic and Peel Memorial Hospitals as well as its accessibility to municipal transportation, GO transit and highway systems.
Premier Doug Ford was joined by Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, to mark the major milestone.
The site for the new school also meets the space requirements to build a school of medicine that will require 250,000 square feet for classrooms, offices, research facilities and an integrated health clinic. The City of Brampton will invest $20M of funding to support building renovations required for programing and operations of the School of Medicine.
Premier Doug Ford said: “Congratulations to our partners, the City of Brampton and Toronto Metropolitan University, on this next step to build the first new medical school in Ontario in decades.
“As our government makes historic investments to build and expand our health care infrastructure, TMU’s new school of medicine will help to ensure that we have the doctors in place — in Brampton, in Peel Region and throughout the province — so that Ontarians get the quality care they need, when and where they need it.” The TMU School of Medicine marks the first new medical school in the GTA in over a hundred years and will make Brampton the home of a community-centric medical school focused on inclusivity, innovation and primary care.
Establishing a medical school in Brampton has been a significant part of the City’s ongoing advocacy work.
In 2021, Brampton City Council voted in favour of a $1 million planning grant to help fund a future School of Medicine in the city, matching the funding invested by the Province of Ontario earlier that year.
In March 2022, the Government of Ontario announced its plans for expanding medical school education to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system, including adding 80 undergraduate seats and 95 postgraduate positions for the TMU University School of Medicine in Brampton when it opens in 2025.
A shared vision for a School of Medicine in Brampton builds on existing partnerships between the University and the City of Brampton, including the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and the Brampton Venture Zone.
It was on January 22, 2020, the City of Brampton declared a healthcare emergency and launched its advocacy campaign, “Fair Deal for Brampton” – requesting additional funding from the Province to bridge Brampton’s health care gap.
This announcement and the expansion of Peel Memorial helps address the healthcare emergency in Brampton and will ensure that the next generation of healthcare practitioners can train locally in the city.
Mayor Patrick Brown said: “This is a momentous day for Brampton as we announce the Civic Centre being home to the first medical school in the GTA in over a hundred years!
“Through the creation of the Brampton School of Medicine, we are building a healthcare system that fosters local talent and creates economic growth in the medical sector. This school and the City’s second hospital being built at Peel Memorial will help address the healthcare emergency in Brampton and ensures the next generation of healthcare practitioners can train locally right here in the city.
“It is a home run for our City and I want to specifically thank Councillor Santos and Councillor Singh who over the last four years despite opposition never gave up on this dream of additional post-secondary options for our residents.”
“This historic investment to expand medical postsecondary education will make it easier for Ontarians to access world class health care right in their own communities by training the doctors and nurses of the future,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“Ensuring more health care workers can access exceptional education and training will help increase access to physicians and other health care professionals in every corner of the province.”
Marlon Kallideen, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton, said: “Brampton being selected for the first medical school in the GTA in over a hundred years is a great win for our community As one of Canada’s fastest-growing and youngest cities, expanding postsecondary opportunities and building a healthcare system are key priorities for our Council and the residents. .”
Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University, said: “We are committed to creating a school of medicine to meet the diverse needs of the Brampton and Peel Region community and today, with a location secured, we are one step closer.
“I am incredibly thankful to our partners, the City of Brampton and the Province of Ontario, for their investments that will help us bring to life our shared vision for a brighter future for medical education in the region and the province.”
