Ontario has taken a major step in its plan to protect the province's health-care system by opening a new medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). This fall, 176 students will begin their medical school education at the university's new Brampton campus, which was built with a nearly $180 million investment by the provincial government.
"Our government is delivering on our plan to protect and improve access to health care in Ontario by opening our first new medical school in 20 years, right here in Brampton," said Premier Doug Ford. "I want to congratulate all the new students and thank them for their dedication to service in our province, to provide more connected and convenient care to the people of Ontario."
The province's nearly $180 million investment funded planning for TMU's new Brampton campus and will support operating costs for the school's undergraduate seats and postgraduate positions from 2025 to 2028, as well as operations for two primary care teaching clinics to ensure students train in real-world settings while expanding access to care in local communities.
When operating at full capacity, the TMU School of Medicine will have 94 undergraduate seats in each year of study and 117 post-graduate entry positions, expanding Ontario's pipeline of highly skilled physicians and helping to protect the province's health-care system for generations to come.
"Ontario-educated doctors are saving lives and keeping our families and communities healthy," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "TMU's School of Medicine will equip the next generation of physicians with the cutting-edge skills they need to provide critical care in all corners of our province."
Since 2018, the province has added nearly 100,000 new nurses and over 15,000 new physicians to build Ontario's health-care system. In addition to the Brampton TMU campus, the government is also creating a new medical school at York University, which is slated to open in 2028.
"Our government is protecting Ontario's health-care system with the largest medical school expansion in over a decade," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "With the opening of the TMU School of Medicine, we are ensuring Ontario continues to build a pipeline of future physicians to care for Ontario families for years to come."
At the opening ceremony, the province also welcomed Orlando Corporation's generous pledge of up to $25 million for a dollar-for-dollar match for donations to the TMU School of Medicine. This donation will help support the training of a new generation of physicians and help more people in Ontario access the health care they need.
Earlier this year, the government announced it is investing $300 million to build up to 17 new and expanded community-based primary care teaching clinics in high-need communities. Delivered in partnership with Ontario medical schools, including TMU, these clinics will provide hands on learning to students studying to become doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses, while also expanding access to primary care where it is most needed.
The government continues to take decisive action to protect the health of families in Ontario by expanding the province's talent pool of highly skilled, made-in-Ontario health-care providers.
Quick Facts
- With the addition of the TMU School of Medicine, Ontario will now have seven operating medical schools with a total of over 1,200 undergraduate seats and over 1,600 postgraduate entry positions once fully established in 2028-29.
- Starting in fall 2026, all medical schools in Ontario are required to allocate at least 95 per cent of all undergraduate medical spaces to Ontario residents, with the other five per cent reserved for students from the rest of Canada.
- Through Budget 2025, the province is investing nearly $160 million to expand the Ontario Learn and Stay program to include medical students who commit to practicing as family doctors anywhere in the province for a term of service.
- This summer, the Ontario government invested nearly $57 million to expand nursing seats by 2,200 at colleges and universities across the province.
Quotes
"The TMU School of Medicine will train a new generation of skilled and compassionate physicians who will help meet the pressing health-care needs of communities across Ontario. We could not have achieved this remarkable result without the strong support of Premier Ford and the province of Ontario. Thank you to our government partners, the Brampton community, our donors and our clinical affiliates, for your generous support and belief in healthy change."
- Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University
"We congratulate Toronto Metropolitan University on the opening of its new School of Medicine. This builds on existing medical education and training expansions within Ontario universities and will help address the urgent need for family physicians, along with improving primary care capacity across the province. This is a critical step towards building a more resilient, inclusive and connected health-care system for all Ontarians."
- Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities
"This is an exciting and important milestone for health care in Ontario. The opening of TMU's School of Medicine in Brampton represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the growing demand for doctors across the province. By training more physicians right here at home, we are strengthening the future of care in our communities. We look forward to supporting these future doctors as they begin their journey in medicine. Together we can ensure a healthier Ontario for generations to come."
- Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, President, Ontario Medical Association
"Expanding medical education is an important step to ensure more Ontarians have access to a family physician, and Toronto Metropolitan University's connection to a community-based primary care teaching clinic will benefit learners, patients and the community. The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) commends the government's decision to open a new medical school taking an innovative approach to training, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that primary care is strengthened in Ontario. Congratulations to the leadership, faculty, preceptors and the inaugural class of medical students at TMU. The OCFP looks forward to working closely with all medical schools in Ontario to continue supporting medical students to choose comprehensive family medicine."
- Dr. Jobin Varughese, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians
"The opening of the TMU School of Medicine marks a historic milestone for Brampton and for Ontario's health-care system. For too long, our city has faced challenges with access to health care and this new medical school will help address those needs by training doctors right here at home. With this investment, our government is ensuring that future generations of physicians are equipped to improve access to care for families across Brampton and the province."
- Amarjot Sandhu, MPP for Brampton West
"I am proud to share the exciting news that Toronto Metropolitan University will be opening the doors to its new School of Medicine right here in Brampton Centre, thanks to a nearly $180 million investment from our provincial government. This will be the first medical school in Brampton's history and it will serve as a cornerstone for training the next generation of doctors in our community. For families in Brampton, this means more access to health care, more opportunities for students to pursue their passion for medicine close to home and more growth and prosperity for our city. This investment will not only address the urgent need for family physicians but will also create new jobs and stimulate economic activity across the region. It is a transformative milestone for Brampton and a clear reflection of our government's commitment to strengthening health care and building a brighter future for Brampton Centre and all Ontarians."
- Charmaine Williams, MPP for Brampton Centre
"The opening of TMU's new medical school is a historic milestone for Brampton, ensuring our community has access to highly skilled, locally trained doctors. By investing in the next generation of physicians, our government is protecting Ontario's health-care system and the well-being of Ontarians."
- Prabmeet Sarkaria, MPP for Brampton South
"The opening of Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Medicine in Brampton is a historic milestone for our community. This investment will not only expand access to health care but also create new opportunities for students to pursue rewarding medical careers right here in our city. I am proud to see Brampton become home to Ontario's newest medical school, which will help strengthen our health-care system for generations to come."
- Hardeep Grewal, MPP for Brampton East
"A new medical school in Brampton is here. It's happening. Brampton students will be training to become Brampton doctors, and I couldn't be prouder of our city today."
- Graham McGregor, MPP for Brampton North
"The opening of TMU's School of Medicine in Brampton marks a defining moment for our city and for health care in Ontario. For years, residents called for greater access to medical education and training close to home and today that vision has become reality. This school will not only prepare future physicians but also strengthen Brampton's role as a hub for health innovation, ensuring families in our community and across the province benefit for generations to come."
- Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton
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