Procurement process for new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital delayed 3 months
The site of the new Windsor Acute Care Hospital near the intersection of County Rd 42 and Concession Road 9 as seen on April 22, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)
The procurement process for the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital will be delayed by three month, according to a market update released by Infrastructure Ontario on Thursday.
The market update informs the public on key updates to major construction projects, like the new mega hospital.
The update anticipates that the procurement process will happen between July and September 2025,approximately three months later than the last market update, where RFQ was forecast between April-June 2025.
A news release from Windsor Regional Hospital said this revised timeline does not impact the scope of the hospital project and is largely a result of the evolving national and international construction market conditions such as supply chain disruptions, inflationary cost increases, skilled labour shortages and those caused by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States.
In response to these shifts and feedback from the construction industry, WRH officials say they continue to move forward with the new hospital as quickly and cost efficiently as possible.
The project includes an enabling works component which consists of the construction of education and administration spaces, a parking structure, and essential site infrastructure to lay the groundwork for our hospital.
This first phase of the project remains on schedule with groundbreaking expected early 2026 – if not sooner. WRH officials expect to announcing a successful proponent for this part of the project this summer.
'This adjustment is both prudent and strategic. It positions us effectively to navigate the current industry landscape while remaining fully committed to delivering a world-class acute care hospital that our community needs and deserves,' said Karen Riddell, acting president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital.
Windsor Regional Hospital and project leadership continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario to advance the second phase of the project.
WRH User Group teams representing all hospital programs and services have held more than 200 meetings this year alone, with many more actively underway. WRH continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario to advance the project towards RFQ this summer.
The new hospital represents the largest healthcare infrastructure investment in the region's history.
'Delivering the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital remains one of our government's top local priorities, and I'm proud to stand behind this incredible project that will transform health care for families across Windsor Essex,' said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh.
'Our hospital represents more than just bricks and mortar — it's a long-term investment in the well-being of our community. The progress we're making reflects our government's responsible planning, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to the people of our region,' said Essex MPP Anthony Leardi.
WRH officials said they are committed to full transparency and will provide continuous project updates to the community via the hospital's website.
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Coffey also agrees it can't be the only approach, but that rental protection funds within all levels of government are necessary. In the climate of tariffs we can pick up an asset at about half the price of building something new, Coffey said. "We need a multi-pronged approach to driving solutions to this housing crisis, that is how we will get there faster." WATCH | How does B.C.'s rental protection fund work?: Renters live in fear as corporations buy up buildings 3 minutes ago Duration 11:29 As corporations continue to buy up rental units in Canada, a B.C. program is trying to keep housing affordable for tenants. CBC's Lyndsay Duncombe breaks down how the provincial rental protection fund works and the impact it's having on residents in one Burnaby building.
