Ottawa Hospital new Civic Campus cost now nearly $10 billion, minister says
Ontario's infrastructure minister told a committee the provincial share alone is just under $10 billion. The local fundraising goal was set at $500 million.
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Ontario's infrastructure minister told a legislative committee on October 28 that the province's investment in Ottawa Hospital's new Civic Campus is now just under $10 billion, as CTV News Ottawa reported. The original provincial commitment was $2.8 billion.
What the minister said
Ontario Infrastructure Minister David Piccini appeared before a legislative committee and said the provincial investment is "just shy of $10 billion." CTV News Ottawa reported that the Ministry of Infrastructure would not confirm the figure when asked separately.
Ottawa MPP Joel Blais pressed Piccini on what the local share of the cost would be. Blais told the committee he believed the local share could now reach between $2.25 billion and $2.5 billion. CTV News Ottawa reported that Blais received no direct answer from the minister.
The fundraising picture
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation set a fundraising goal of $500 million to cover the local share of the project. As of January 2026, the Foundation had raised $397 million toward that goal, CTV News Ottawa reported.
If Blais's estimate of the local share is correct, the Foundation's $500 million goal would cover only a portion of what the hospital now needs from local sources.
The original plan
The project was announced with a provincial commitment of $2.8 billion and a planned opening date of 2028. CTV News Ottawa reported that the 2028 date is now uncertain. No new opening date has been set.
The new Civic Campus will replace the current Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus on Carling Avenue. It is one of the largest hospital construction projects in Ontario. The hospital has said the new building will serve patients for generations.
The gap between the original $2.8 billion provincial figure and the minister's "just shy of $10 billion" figure is now the subject of committee scrutiny. The Ministry of Infrastructure has not published a revised cost breakdown.
Ottawa residents who want to follow developments at the hospital and other city services can find the latest news at /on/ottawa-2026/news.
Questions this story answers
What did Ontario's minister say about the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus cost?
Ontario Infrastructure Minister David Piccini told a legislative committee on October 28, 2026 that the province's investment in the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus is now 'just shy of $10 billion.' CTV News Ottawa reported this figure. The original provincial commitment was $2.8 billion when the project was announced. The Ministry of Infrastructure would not confirm the $10 billion figure when CTV asked for confirmation.
What is the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus?
The new Civic Campus is a replacement hospital being built for The Ottawa Hospital. It will replace the current Civic Campus on Carling Avenue. The project is one of the largest hospital construction projects in Ontario. The original opening date was planned for 2028, but CTV News Ottawa reported that date is now uncertain given the cost increases.
What does this mean for the Ottawa Hospital Foundation's fundraising?
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation set a fundraising goal of $500 million to cover the local share of the hospital's cost. As of January 2026, the Foundation had raised $397 million toward that goal, CTV News Ottawa reported. However, Ottawa MPP Joel Blais told the legislative committee that the local share could now be between $2.25 billion and $2.5 billion, well above the $500 million goal. CTV News Ottawa reported that Blais received no direct answer when he asked the minister what the local share would be.
Has the ministry confirmed the $10 billion figure?
CTV News Ottawa reported that the Ministry of Infrastructure would not confirm the $10 billion figure when asked. Minister Piccini used the phrase 'just shy of $10 billion' at the committee, but the ministry did not provide a written confirmation of that number. The original provincial commitment was $2.8 billion.
When is the new Civic Campus expected to open?
The original planned opening date for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus was 2028. CTV News Ottawa reported that this date is now uncertain given the increase in costs. No new opening date has been announced by the hospital or the province.
Who is Joel Blais?
Joel Blais is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Orléans, the Ottawa riding that includes the area where the new Civic Campus is being built. Blais appeared at the legislative committee and questioned Infrastructure Minister David Piccini about the cost and local share of the project. CTV News Ottawa quoted his estimate that the local share could reach $2.25 billion to $2.5 billion.
What is the Ottawa Hospital Foundation?
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of The Ottawa Hospital. It raises money from donors to support the hospital's work, including the construction of the new Civic Campus. The Foundation set a goal of raising $500 million from local donors. As of January 2026, it had raised $397 million of that goal, CTV News Ottawa reported.
Where can I follow news about Ottawa's hospitals and city council?
You can follow news about Ottawa's city services and health facilities at /on/ottawa-2026/news. CTV News Ottawa reported on this committee testimony on October 28, 2026. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation's fundraising updates are published on the Foundation's own website.
Sources
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