First students head to class at new nursing school now open in Brampton

After more than two years in development, the Greater Toronto Area’s first new nursing school in over 100 years has opened in Brampton with students headed to classes this week.

First announced in January of 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University’s new School of Medicine – with some 80 undergraduate seats and 95 postgraduate positions – is welcoming its first class of students this semester.

A report by TMU says the new school is expected to create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in Peel Region, and generate between $1.2 to $2.6 billion in economic activity over the next decade.

The school will also have two primary care teaching clinics.

“There is so much to be proud of in reaching today’s milestone,” TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi said in a release, adding that the school received accreditation “in record time.”

He said the new Brampton school is the first in Canada to start both undergraduate and postgraduate programs simultaneously, “with a record number of 16 unique residency programs launched simultaneously.”

“While today is a day we have been striving for for many years, the exciting work of educating future physicians who will truly change healthcare in our province is just beginning,” he said.

And while the school is expected to boost the economy and help get more nurses into the health care system, the project wasn’t without controversy due to City Council giving the $48 million Bramalea Civic Centre building and most of the surrounding land to TMU.

That decision led to the eviction of the Brampton Library Chinguacousy branch to the much smaller Mount Chinguacousy Ski Lodge. Council faced backlash from residents around the library’s eviction, sparking at least two citizen petitions.

The City has said it was spending at least $20 million to support BCC building renovations required for the programming and operations of the School of Medicine.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said the new school is the first nursing school to open in the province in over 30 years.