The construction site outside CHEO might look like every little boy’s dream these days, but what the heavy equipment is building — a brand new integrated treatment centre — is the real dream come true for the families that rely on CHEO to provide specialized care for their children.

Yesterday marked the official groundbreaking ceremony featuring Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa. He jokingly promised that he didn’t travel up from Toronto with the Leafs for their Game 3 last night against the Ottawa Senators.

CHEO’s new 200,000-square-foot building will consolidate services and programs under one roof, allowing the hospital to better serve nearly 14,000 children and youth each year who live with special or complex needs.

Slated to open in 2028, the facility will be funded by the Ontario government and CHEO, with support from donors to the CHEO Foundation’s $220-million Kids These Days campaign — an initiative aimed at transforming pediatric care at the hospital.

The new treatment centre, part of CHEO’s broader vision for expanded and improved services, is being built with “accessibility, convenience and care” top of mind, said Parsa.

Parsa was joined by several of his colleagues from the region, including Government House Leader and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier Steve Clark; Carleton MPP George Darouze, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Stéphane Sarrazin; Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan; Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault; and Minister Nolan Quinn (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry).

Government officials and CHEO staff and volunteers at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Children’s Treatment Centre, to open in 2028. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Attendees heard from Algonquin Elder Verna McGregor (she performed an Indigenous blessing), Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and CHEO’s new president and CEO, Dr. Vera Etches. She credited her predecessor, Alex Munter, for his vision and leadership in helping the project move forward with the team. Plans for the new centre have been in the works for more than 15 years.

“The future of CHEO is about building a community of care that is both innovative and compassionate,” said Dr. Etches.

Munter attended the ceremony (I do wish he could have worn his trademark purple suit — in honour of CHEO’s official colour — one more time) and participated in one of a series of sod-turning photo-ops involving construction hats and shovels in hand with Dr. Etches, and such volunteer leaders as CHEO board chair Jo-Anne Poirier and board vice chair Jim Armour, and Steven Herzog. There was also a traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony to bless the project.

As if on cue, the rain stopped and the sun broke through just in time for officials to make the first dig with their shovels, marking the official start of construction. The site is being built by EllisDon Infrastructure OCH Inc., which has already completed the new parking garage on time and on budget.

Herzog has chaired CHEO’s Family Advisory Committee since its launch in 2018. He spoke earlier during the event about CHEO and its leadership’s commitment to ensuring families “were not just heard but truly engaged through the entirety of the process. They understood that world-class care comes from listening — really listening – to those who live this journey.

“Yes, this Integrated Treatment Centre will be a phenomenal place for doctors, clinicians and staff to continue delivering outstanding care but what makes it truly special is that it will be shaped by voices of those it serves.

“Through countless consultations, visioning sessions, deep engagement during every phase of the design, parents and families have guided this project toward something exceptional, something truly patient- and family-centric.”

Said Herzog: “It’s been an honour to be part of the process and it’s a thrill to be here today at this important milestone where we take the first physical steps to turning the shared vision into reality.”

Steven Herzog, chair of CHEO’s Family Advisory Committee. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa in conversation with CHEO’s president and CEO, Dr. Vera Etches. Photo by Caroline Phillips

CHEO board vice chair Jim Armour, managing partner at Summa Strategies Canada, and board chair Jo-Anne Poirier, president and CEO of VON Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Emily Jamieson (VP of corporate philanthropy and community engagement at CHEO Foundation), CHEO Foundation board member Angela Singhal (executive vice president, Richcraft), board vice chair James McKellar (president at AM-TECH Electrical), board chair Ainsley Malhotra, Kids These Days campaign volunteer and business development professional Ryan Kelahear and CHEO Foundation board member Daniel Thiruganaratnapathy (VP of mid-market commercial at RBC). Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dr. Vera Etches, president and CEO of CHEO, and Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left,  Steven Herzog, Dr. Vera Etches, Alex Munter, Jo-Anne Poirier and Jim Armour. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Elder Verna McGregor opened formal remarks with an Indigenous blessing. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Alex Munter, former president and CEO of CHEO. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa is joined by his MPP colleagues from the area, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, CHEO president and CEO Dr. Vera Etches and some of the kids from CHEO School at a gathering held Thursday, April 24, 2025 to celebrate the new Children’s Treatment Centre being built in Ottawa, on the grounds of CHEO.

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This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel and RBC.