Ontario Shores trauma care will receive a $2-million boost through a multi-year commitment from 407 ETR aimed at expanding specialized treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress injury.
The October 9 announcement says the funding will support first responders, health-care workers and other people who need timely trauma services. Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is based in Whitby and provides specialized mental-health assessment and treatment.
Funding will expand staff and peer support
The investment is expected to increase clinical staffing, strengthen peer-support partnerships with paramedic services and support province-wide awareness work encouraging people to seek treatment earlier.
Ontario Shores uses a coordinated model that connects patients with different levels of care. Those services range from in-hospital treatment for serious PTSI to community programs for people with mild or moderate needs.
The organization says the model is intended to reduce wait times and direct clinical resources where demand is greatest. Its current average wait for trauma care is three months, while more than 1,800 patients use its trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder services each year.
First responders face higher PTSD rates
The announcement cites Canadian public-safety research indicating that 23 per cent of first responders live with PTSD. The new funding is intended to improve access to treatment for that group while also supporting other patients and families affected by trauma.
Ontario Shores executive vice-president Sanaz Riahi said demand for PTSD and trauma services continues to exceed available capacity. She said the investment will help the hospital intervene earlier, reduce waits and improve outcomes.
407 ETR president and chief executive Jose Espinosa said the partnership reflects the highway operator’s reliance on first responders and its wider commitment to specialized mental-health care.
Company’s health investments reach $14.5 million
407 ETR says it has committed $14.5 million to health-care projects in 2026. That total includes $5 million for specialized first-responder treatment facilities through Runnymede Healthcare Centre and $7.5 million for Toronto Metropolitan University’s medical school and integrated health centre.
The company said the new Ontario Shores commitment brings its combined investment in specialized trauma and PTSI programs to $7 million.
The announcement did not provide a staffing target, construction component or exact date when additional patient capacity will become available. Ontario Shores and the foundation are expected to implement the expanded supports through the multi-year partnership.
The Ontario Shores trauma care funding is a charitable investment rather than a change to patient eligibility. People seeking services should use Ontario Shores’ official channels for current referral and program information.
