Work Will Prepare Site for Construction of New Cancer Centre 

TORONTO - Site preparation work has begun at the Queensway Carleton Hospital to make way for the new satellite cancer centre. The satellite site is part of the capital project to expand The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program.

“This site preparation work brings us closer to the day when we'll have improved hospital infrastructure in the Champlain region,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. “The hospital is one of many projects in the McGuinty government's five-year $30-billion plus renewal plan to modernize public infrastructure and ensure value for taxpayer dollars as we build strong, prosperous communities.”

Site preparation includes relocating the hospital's central air conditioning plant, rerouting the main water supply and demolishing a portion of the maintenance building to allow for the construction of a cancer centre satellite. This four-storey building will house three radiation treatment machines, two clinics and will have a capacity for 33 chemotherapy spaces.

“Upgrading and modernizing our hospitals is essential to our government's goal of increasing patient access to a stronger health care system in Ontario,” said Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre project is great news for our communities,” said Jim Watson, Ottawa West-Nepean MPP and Minister of Health Promotion.  “Today's announcement re-affirms our government's commitment to providing the resources and infrastructure that will address the health care needs of this growing community.”

The broader capital project to redevelop and expand The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre will include construction of a new satellite centre at Queensway Carleton Hospital as well as renovation and expansion of the existing cancer centre at The Ottawa Hospital's General Campus. The goal of this integrated cancer program is to bring together programs in systemic therapy (chemotherapy), radiation therapy, preventative oncology, palliative medicine and supportive care. The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre will serve a total population of 1.5 million in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

“We are thrilled to have work starting on our site,” said Tom Schonberg, QCH President and CEO. “We are on our way to building a cancer centre that will provide the people we serve even greater access to the doctors, nurses and level of care they need right here in Ottawa.” 

“The start of work at our partner site signifies the positive momentum toward enhancing access to advanced cancer services and reducing wait times for these services in the Champlain region,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, The Ottawa Hospital President and CEO. 

Infrastructure Ontario will work with The Ottawa Hospital and Queensway Carleton Hospital to redevelop and expand The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.  Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget.  

This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.  The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus public infrastructure investment plan.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Contacts: 

Amy Tang  
Minister's Office 
Public Infrastructure and Renewal
416-325-4048 

Mandy Downes  
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-327-5325

Allison Neill  
The Ottawa Hospital - General Site    
613-737-8899 x 70271    

Judy Brown  
Queensway Carleton Hospital
613-721-4700 x 5601