ORILLIA — The Ontario government has officially launched the planning process for a brand-new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, a transformative investment that will expand health care access for families across Simcoe County and Central Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement in Orillia, emphasizing the project as part of Ontario’s record-setting $60 billion plan to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals over the next decade.
“Today’s announcement is a major step toward delivering a new, state-of-the-art Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital that will be transformational for the people of Orillia and across Simcoe County,” said Ford.
Through our 2025 budget, we’re building a new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital to serve families in Simcoe County and across the region. This is part of our nearly $60 billion plan to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals across Ontario.https://t.co/iizzgR5lmC pic.twitter.com/Di1hsAmxSC
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 23, 2025
The new hospital will be built on a new site and will offer expanded programs, improved patient capacity, and enhanced safety measures. It’s designed to meet the growing health needs of a region that currently serves over 440,000 residents, including the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and surrounding municipalities.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the investment will ensure more timely and local access to health care. “We are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access world-class care in their community, for generations to come,” she said.
The province will work closely with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital to finalize the design, including the number of beds and overall size. Once that planning phase is complete and construction contracts are awarded, a construction timeline will follow.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop called the project a “game-changer” for both health care and medical education in the region. The planned location will also help medical students gain hands-on experience in a dynamic setting.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy added, “Our investment towards a new Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is pivotal, as it will ensure individuals and families in Orillia and across Simcoe are connected to a stronger and more resilient health-care system they can rely on.”
The new facility is part of the government’s broader Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care strategy.
Carmine Stumpo, President and CEO of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, said the announcement marks a significant milestone. “We celebrate the confirmation of a planning grant, along with advancement of our outstanding partnership with Lakehead University where our preferred site marks an incredible milestone on our journey to a new hospital.”
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