Ontario invests $1.6 billion for new buildings at Toronto mental health hospital

Ontario is investing $1.6 billion for two new buildings at a mental health hospital in Toronto.

The province says the money will go toward the design and construction of the buildings at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Premier Doug Ford says it’s a significant step for the province’s plan to boost mental health supports.

The hospital plans to build a larger forensic mental health program that supports patients with mental health problems who have become involved with the justice system, but are not sentenced to jail or prison.

The second building will consolidate the hospital’s research facilities into a state-of-the-art centre.

Last year’s provincial budget shows the new forensic building will add 33 beds, bringing its capacity up to 214 beds for patients.