This multi-year partnership builds on 407 ETR’s commitment to mental health supports for first responders and brings the total investment to $7 million.
TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2026 /CNW/ — As demand for trauma and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) treatment continues to outpace available capacity, 407 ETR is announcing $2 million in funding for Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health to help expand access to specialized care for first responders, healthcare workers and others who need timely support.
The investment will help increase clinical staffing, strengthen peer-support collaborations with paramedic services and support province-wide awareness efforts to encourage earlier treatment.
"We rely on first responders every day to help keep Highway 407 ETR moving safely and to support our customers when they need it most," says Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR. "Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and this is why we’re proud to support this important cause. Building on our investment in Runnymede Healthcare’s first responder rehabilitation and recovery programs, this partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to specialized trauma and PTSI care."
Ontario Shores’ coordinated model connects individuals with the support that best meets their needs. Services range from in-hospital treatment for serious PTSI to community-based programs for mild to moderate needs. This approach is designed to reduce wait times, improve access and direct clinical resources to areas of greatest demand.
This investment is part of 407 ETR’s broader commitment to strengthening access to care across Ontario, including its support of Ontario’s first Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre for First Responders at Runnymede Healthcare Centre and the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, where the Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR is helping expand access to primary care and train the next generation of physicians. Together, these investments are helping strengthen Ontario’s health care system and improving access to care.
"Demand for PTSD and trauma services continues to outpace capacity, and progress requires strong community partnerships. Ontario Shores is strengthening the provincial trauma system through our coordinated care model, ensuring first responders and individuals living with PTSD receive the care they need, when and where they need it," says Sanaz Riahi, Executive Vice-President, Transformation, Clinical Services, Practice & CNE, Ontario Shores. "This incredibly generous investment from 407 ETR will ensure our coordinated care model continues to reduce wait times, and most importantly, enables earlier intervention and better outcomes for first responders and all people and families impacted by trauma."
Fast Facts:
- First responders experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at higher rates and 23 per cent are living with PTSD (Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment).
- Currently, the average wait time for trauma care at Ontario Shores is three months. More than 1,800 patients access Ontario Shores’ trauma and PTSD services annually.
- In 2026, 407 ETR committed $14.5 million in health care investments, supporting expanded access to care, medical education and specialized mental health programs across the GTA. This includes:
- A $5 million donation to Runnymede Healthcare Centre to support the construction of two new specialized treatment facilities in Toronto and Caledon and help establish a first-of-its-kind comprehensive PTSI rehabilitation-focused programs and services tailored to the unique needs of first responders.
- A $7.5 million investment in the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, which will help to expand access to team-based primary care and support hands-on medical education. The TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR directly attached to the School of Medicine is expected to play a critical role in providing primary care to more than 14,000 Brampton residents who don’t currently have a family doctor.
About 407 ETR:
Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic open-access toll highway located in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. The highway spans 108 kilometres from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder of 407 ETR and is owned by:
- Cintra Global S.E., a subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A. (48.29%)
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and other institutional investors with non-controlling interests (44.20%)
- Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) (7.51%)
About Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health:
Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health (Ontario Shores Foundation) was established in 2009 to raise funds to support mental health care and recovery at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.
In partnership with our donors, staff, patients, and community, we inspire hope and investment through fundraising initiatives that enable life-changing programs and research not funded by the government. Creating a sense of hope is one of the greatest gifts we can give to people and families living with complex mental health challenges. Together, we can help prevent the most devastating consequences of mental illness.
About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a range of specialized assessment and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system. For more information about Ontario Shores, please visit www.ontarioshores.ca.
SOURCE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited
