EAST GWILLIMBURY — Ontario is taking a major step to expand public health care capacity in one of the province’s fastest-growing regions, with plans to build a new acute care hospital in East Gwillimbury and redevelop the existing Southlake Health hospital in Newmarket.
The province is investing $10 million in early planning for the project, which is expected to improve access to care for more than 250,000 residents across northern York Region and southern Simcoe County.
“Our government is delivering on our plan to protect Ontario’s health-care system by investing $64 billion to build and upgrade over 50 hospitals across the province,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With today’s announcement, we’re ensuring that people in York Region and Simcoe County have reliable access to world-class care for generations to come.”
New Hospital to Strengthen Public Health Care Capacity
The proposed East Gwillimbury hospital will be part of a broader distributed health network, designed to deliver more integrated and efficient care across the region.
Plans for the new facility include:
- Expanded acute and post-acute care services
- Increased inpatient capacity
- A new emergency department with diagnostic imaging
- Enhanced infection prevention and control measures
- Specialized services including maternal care and pediatric mental health
The new hospital is expected to work in tandem with the redeveloped Southlake Health site in Newmarket, creating a more coordinated system of care.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the project reflects Ontario’s commitment to improving access to care.
“This investment is another important step in building a stronger health-care system that will connect more people and families to the care they need.”
Southlake Hospital Redevelopment to Meet Growing Demand
In addition to the new hospital, the existing Southlake facility in Newmarket will undergo significant upgrades, including:
- Additional inpatient beds
- Expanded emergency capacity
- Modernized infrastructure to support higher patient volumes
The redevelopment is intended to ensure the hospital can continue to meet increasing demand while working efficiently within the broader regional network.
Southlake Health President and CEO Paul Woods described the project as a transformative moment for the organization.
“This investment will create a more integrated, sustainable local health-care system for generations to come.”
Building for Population Growth and Future Needs
The investment comes as York Region and surrounding communities experience rapid population growth and increasing demand for health services.
The new hospital and redevelopment project build on previous provincial investments in the region, including:
- Expanded primary care teams
- New mental health beds
- Upgraded cancer care services
- Enhanced diagnostic imaging capacity
Together, these investments are part of Ontario’s broader strategy to modernize public health care, reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
I kicked off the week in East Gwillimbury, where we unveiled the site of Southlake Health’s new second hospital.
In addition to building a brand new hospital, we’re also renovating and expanding the existing Southlake Health hospital in Newmarket. It’s all part of our $64… pic.twitter.com/dpLtO8PfLT
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 27, 2026
Part of Ontario’s $64 Billion Health Infrastructure Plan
The project is one of more than 50 major hospital developments planned across the province as part of Ontario’s $64 billion health infrastructure strategy over the next decade.
The initiative aims to:
- Add approximately 3,000 new hospital beds
- Improve access to emergency and specialized care
- Build a more connected, patient-focused health system
🩺 Public Health Watch is GTA Weekly’s ongoing series tracking health-care developments across Ontario—from hospital expansions to primary care access and system-wide innovation.
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