William Osler Health System (Osler) and William Osler Health System Foundation (Osler Foundation) are thrilled to announce a $10 million donation from BVD Group. As Osler continues to grow to meet the increasing demands in one of the most diverse communities in Canada, funds will go towards the local hospital system’s greatest equipment and redevelopment needs, and help strengthen health care in Brampton and Etobicoke for years to come.
BVD Group, which serves the North American transportation industry, is led by CEO Bikram Dhillon and his family.
“Bikram Dhillon and his family are an inspiration to the entire community,” said Ken Mayhew, President and CEO, William Osler Health System Foundation. “Mr. Dhillon came to Canada 40 years ago and built BVD Group from the ground, up, becoming a pillar in the Canadian transportation industry. Together, with his family, they are helping to advance health care in Brampton and Etobicoke to benefit our communities now and for future generations. We are grateful to Mr. Dhillon, the Dhillon family, and BVD Group for their generous donation and philanthropic leadership."
As part of the transformation of health care in Brampton and Etobicoke, Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness (Peel Memorial) will become Brampton’s second hospital. The new Peel Memorial will include a new multi-storey patient tower with 250 inpatient beds and space to grow, new and enhanced outpatient services and day programs, and the expansion of the existing Urgent Care Centre to 24/7 operations later this year—setting the stage for a second full Emergency Department in Brampton. The proposed expanded cancer care services at Brampton Civic Hospital will address the growing need for cancer care in the community and will bring radiation treatment closer to home for patients and families in Brampton and the surrounding region. Ongoing redevelopment at Etobicoke General Hospital will further enhance the state-of-the-art services the hospital offers, to ensure Osler can continue to meet the evolving health care needs of the community.
“This incredible gift from the Dhillon family and BVD Group is a game changer for our communities,” said Dr. Frank Martino, Interim President and CEO, William Osler Health System. “On behalf of Osler’s team of staff, physicians and volunteers who go beyond to serve our communities, we thank Bikram Dhillon, the Dhillon family, and BVD Group for supporting exceptional health care close to home."
“All four of my kids and my nine grandchildren were born in Brampton and Etobicoke hospitals,” said Bikram Dhillon, CEO, BVD Group. “This community has given so much to my family, and this donation is the best way to give back, and touch everyone in the community. We will all need health care and there’s no better time to contribute—in whatever way we can—to help our hospitals. I hope others will step forward and support our hospitals; every dollar counts to ensure that our community has the health care it needs and deserves.”
Joining representatives from Osler, Osler Foundation and BVD Group for the announcement were The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and MPP, Etobicoke North; The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and MPP, Dufferin-Caledon; The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board and MPP, Brampton South; and His Worship, Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, along with Members of Provincial Parliament for Brampton and members of Brampton City Council and Town of Caledon Council.
“Today’s announcement shows what can happen when we all work together to transform health care for the people of Ontario,” said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and MPP for Etobicoke North. “On behalf of the Ontario Government, I thank Mr. Bikram Dhillon, the Dhillon family, and the BVD Group for their tremendous generosity and for supporting a future that has never been brighter for this community.”
"As Brampton's health care system enters a historic period of growth and expansion, it is so encouraging to see this kind of support for our mission to build a better health system for our city," said Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board and MPP for Brampton South. "Thank you to Mr. Dhillon, the Dhillon family, and the BVD Group for this remarkable example of Ontario Spirit. Our community will benefit from your generosity for years to come."