Brampton Strategizes 25-Year Plan for Health and Life Sciences Developments in the City

Brampton | Ontario | Latest News |

Published April 21, 2017 at 4:03 pm

With all of the forward-thinking plans for Brampton we’ve heard thus far, it comes as no surprise that the city aims to create a 25-year plan to develop the area around the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. 

With all of the forward-thinking plans for Brampton we’ve heard thus far, it comes as no surprise that the city aims to create a 25-year plan to develop the area around the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. 

The City of Brampton has released the results of a study for creating a Health and Life Sciences cluster around the new medical facility.

“Brampton is doing game-changing things in the health and life sciences sector,” said Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “With a new university facility coming, our central position in the Innovation Super Corridor, combined with the forward-looking approaches outlined in this study, we have a great opportunity to set a new course for Brampton.”

MDB Insight led the study, which presents a strategy using forward-thinking and technology advancements.

A Health and Life Sciences cluster could differentiate Brampton from health sectors across the GTA with a focus on preventative care, attract businesses involved with big data, health apps, population-based research and personalized medicine.

“With many health related businesses already operating in the city and partnerships we’re facilitating, we are well positioned to help build this cluster and enhance the quality of life in Brampton,” said Bob Darling, the City’s Economic Development and Culture Director.

The study gathered data on what kinds of health-related businesses and programming already exist in Brampton, such as:

  • Over 700 health sector businesses and agencies already in Brampton, from doctor’s offices to global players in medical research and devices. 
  • There are established links with post-secondary institutions in the health care sector, like Sheridan College.
  • Leading health care facilities already in place include William Osler Health System (Peel Memorial, Brampton Civic) and ErinoakKids.

The data gathered drew in a few conclusions. These included that Brampton’s diverse population makes it attractive to health research businesses, and that the mix of office, commercial and residential uses are planned that will amplify smart growth in Brampton. Further, reating a cluster of health and life sciences can create the critical mass necessary for further growth.

Thinking forward economically, the study noted that:

  • The economic benefits generated through the core strategy could create nearly $35 trillion in GDP. 
  • The cluster could provide 1.5 million square feet of additional office space. 
  • The cluster will encourage renewed emphasis on “place-making” in the cluster area, which is important for attracting workers and building a vibrant community. 
  • A health cluster will be a driver in the development of mobility hubs and higher-order transit throughout the city. 

With downtown Brampton located in the middle of the Waterloo-Toronto Innovation Super Corridor, there is also the potential for creating 5,000 to 6,000 high-paying jobs, with an additional possible 13,000 jobs through indirect employment and 1.5 million square feet of additional office space, according to the study.

The strategy aims to implement 25 significant development projects over the course of 25 years, thinking long-term until 2041. 

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