BRAMPTON, ON (April 7, 2022) – At its meeting yesterday, Brampton City Council approved a one per cent hospital levy to support health care expansion in Brampton. The levy will help fund the local share for the redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital and a Cancer Care Centre to be located at Brampton Civic Hospital.
William Osler Health System estimates it will cost $700 million for the redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital and $365 million for the development of a Cancer Care Centre, for a combined estimated cost of $1.1 billion. The estimated local share required for these projects is $250 million. Osler is requesting that the City fund 50 per cent of the estimated local share, currently estimated to be $125 million, to support the redevelopment and expansion of Peel Memorial Hospital and a Cancer Care Centre to be located at Brampton Civic Hospital.
Brampton residents will see an average increase of $23.29 to the average annual residential tax bill as a result of the hospital levy. As part of the 2022 Budget, the City showed its commitment to health care expansion by designating $62.5M of funding towards the local share for the new Peel Memorial Hospital. Today’s approval of a hospital levy builds on this commitment. Residential Final Bills will be sent out in June with instalments due in July, August and September. More information on taxes can be found at Brampton.ca.
Historically, Brampton has not received its fair share of funding for health care services resulting in hospital overcrowding and hallway medicine, which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2020, the City of Brampton declared a health care emergency and launched its advocacy campaign, “Fair Deal for Brampton”, requesting additional funding from the Province to bridge Brampton’s health care gap.
In March 2021, the City welcomed a budget announcement from the Provincial government to fund the expansion of Osler’s Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness into a new hospital. Earlier this week, the Province announced that it is investing $21 million to further support Osler’s transformation of Peel Memorial into a new inpatient hospital with a 24/7 emergency department and expand cancer care services at Brampton Civic Hospital
For more information on the Fair Deal for Brampton campaign visit Brampton.ca.
Quotes
“Historically, Brampton has experienced hospital overcrowding and hallway medicine due to our city not receiving its fair share of funding in health care services. Brampton City Council is committed to doing our part to bridge Brampton’s health care gap, and we thank our partners for helping to fund health care services in our community.”
- Harkirat Singh, City Councillor, Wards 9 & 10; Chair, Corporate Services, City of Brampton
“At a Tele Town Hall last year, over 70 per cent of residents polled by the City indicated they were in support of a levy to help fund a new full-service hospital in Brampton. Our community has not received its fair share of health care funding in the past, and local hospital overcrowding has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brampton City Council is dedicated to doing our part to ensure our residents’ health and wellbeing are protected, and that our community gets the health care it deserves.”
- Pat Fortini, Regional Councillor, Wards 7 & 8, City of Brampton
“Brampton is one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities, and as a Well-Run City, we are addressing the health care emergency in Brampton and taking steps to address our future health care needs. We remain committed to working with our partners in the interest of our residents’ health and wellbeing to secure a stronger future for health care in Brampton.”
- Paul Morrison, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
“This is a historic time for health care in Brampton. City Council’s commitment to support 50 per cent of the current estimated local share for hospital redevelopment will help to ensure Osler has the resources to build the infrastructure this community needs and deserves. Osler commends City Council for taking this bold and necessary step, and for tirelessly championing greater hospital capacity to serve our fast-growing community. Council’s commitment is an investment in the health of our community for years to come.”
- Geoffrey Ritchie, Chair, William Osler Health System Board of Directors
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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca
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