OTTAWA — Ontario’s long-term care capacity has taken a major step forward with the official opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge, a newly constructed facility in Ottawa that will provide 256 modern beds for residents in need of care.
The announcement, made September 10, 2025, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening long-term care through expanded capacity, modernized infrastructure, and improved quality of life for seniors across the province.
Expanding Access in Ottawa
“The opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge marks a significant milestone in our government’s plan to protect residents and increase access to world-class health care across the province, including here in Ottawa,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Now that construction is complete, 256 additional people have a safe and modern place to call home.”
The new facility has been designed around eight “resident home areas” (RHAs), each accommodating up to 32 residents in smaller, community-like settings. One RHA is specifically dedicated to supporting individuals requiring memory care, providing targeted services for those living with dementia and other cognitive conditions.
Officials say the design reflects input from organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care, and Dementiability. These partnerships guided recommendations for interior layouts and care models that aim to improve comfort, safety, and resident engagement.
Delivering on Provincial Commitments
The opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge is part of Ontario’s broader plan to deliver 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province. The commitment, highlighted in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, is central to the government’s “Fixing Long-Term Care” strategy, which focuses on four key pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern homes; and connecting seniors with timely, convenient services.
“The opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a promise fulfilled to the people of Stittsville and surrounding communities,” said George Darouze, MPP for Carleton. “These 256 new long-term care beds mean our seniors can age with dignity, in a safe, modern environment close to family and friends. This investment reflects our government’s unwavering commitment to improving quality of life and ensuring compassionate care is accessible to every senior in Carleton and Ottawa.”
Extendicare, the operator of the facility, has framed the project as an important step in its broader renewal efforts. “Extendicare Crossing Bridge reflects the best of modern long-term care—welcoming, comfortable spaces where families can connect and residents feel at home,” the organization said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Government of Ontario and the City of Ottawa for their commitment to bringing this project to life, as we work to replace and expand all of our older homes and strengthen the system for Ontario’s seniors.”
Broader Sector Investment
As of July 2025, 148 projects across Ontario—representing a combined total of 24,101 new and redeveloped beds—were either completed, under construction, or approved by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The province has also introduced the 2025 Long-Term Care Home Capital Funding Policy and Capital Funding Program (CFP), which updates the funding model to reflect regional cost pressures and provide greater flexibility for operators.
In addition, Ontario has been deploying new approaches to accelerate long-term care construction. These include modernizing funding, selling unused public lands with requirements to dedicate portions to long-term care development, and partnering with hospitals to build facilities on their land—especially in dense urban centres where the need is most acute.
Looking Ahead
The new Ottawa home is part of a provincewide strategy to replace outdated facilities and deliver a long-term care system that can keep pace with demographic pressures. With an aging population and rising demand for services, officials say initiatives like Extendicare Crossing Bridge are essential to safeguarding the health and dignity of seniors in Ontario.
For residents of Ottawa and surrounding communities, the new home is expected to provide immediate relief by expanding access to high-quality care. For policymakers, it is a visible example of the province’s ongoing campaign to modernize long-term care, not only through expanded capacity but also through innovation in design, staffing, and community partnerships.
With construction now complete and beds opening to new residents, Extendicare Crossing Bridge represents both progress on the government’s ambitious 58,000-bed target and a tangible investment in the lives of Ontario’s seniors.
