The Ontario government has announced funding to support the construction of nearly 2,300 new and upgraded long-term care beds in eight homes in Toronto.

Minister of Long-Term Care Paul Calandra announced the funding on March 11. The money is part of the province’s $6.4-billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

“Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe, and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Calandra. “When these eight homes in Toronto are completed, more than 2,000 residents will have a new place to call home, near their family and friends.”

The eight projects will result in new buildings for existing long-term care homes. Construction is expected to start between fall 2022 and winter 2024 on:

• 115 new beds and 205 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of Extendicare Bayview for a 320-bed home in the Toronto area,
• 320 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of Extendicare Guildwood and Extendicare Scarborough,
• 31 new beds and 289 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of Kennedy Lodge, resulting in a 320-bed home in Scarborough,
• 78 new beds and 242 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of Westside, resulting in a 320-bed home in Etobicoke,
• 150 new beds and 170 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of Cheltenham Care Community, for a 320-bed home in Toronto,
• 82 new beds and 238 upgraded beds in a redevelopment of St. George Care Community, for a 320-bed home in Toronto,
• 162 new beds and 94 upgraded beds at Southbridge Scarborough for a 256-bed home, and
• 52 new beds and 60 upgraded beds at Norwood Nursing Home.

The announcement means there are now 5,364 new and 4,897 upgraded long-term care beds in planning or under construction across 39 projects in Toronto.