Ontario to Sell Surplus Aurora Land for New Francophone Long-Term Care Campus
AURORA — The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to convert surplus provincial land in Aurora into a new Francophone community hub, anchored by a 160-bed long-term care home. The project, led by Communauté du Trille blanc (CTB), will provide culturally adapted care and housing options for the province’s growing Francophone population while addressing the pressing demand for long-term care in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
The site, located at 50 Bloomington Road, will be redeveloped through the province’s Surplus Lands Program, which enables unused government properties to be sold for projects that support housing, health care and education. Officials say the initiative represents an innovative approach to tackling the shortage of available land in urban regions where development costs are high.
“As our province continues to age, it is critical we protect Ontario and our seniors by building the long-term care needed to meet increasing demand,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “By selling unused provincial lands in the GTHA, we are finding innovative solutions where they are needed most. When the Aurora site is fully developed, 160 long-term care residents will have a modern and comfortable place to call home.”
A Francophone Hub for Seniors
CTB plans to develop the Aurora site as a “French village” campus of care, including long-term care, housing, recreational space and community services. The proposal envisions:
- 160 new long-term care beds;
- Five acres of recreational land use on the western portion of the property;
- A French language hub providing cultural, health and community services; and
- Housing options that allow seniors to age in place.
The project is intended not only to provide beds but also to strengthen Francophone culture and services within York Region, where demand for French-language care is growing.
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s seniors by ensuring they receive the care they deserve — in the language of their choice and in a way that honours their culture and identity,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “This new complex will provide adapted living spaces, specialized facilities and programs that keep residents connected and engaged while celebrating the rich culture of our Francophone community.”
Expanding Ontario’s Long-Term Care Capacity
The Aurora development is part of the province’s broader commitment to build 58,000 new and redeveloped long-term care beds across Ontario, as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario. The strategy focuses on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster access to health services.
As of July 2025, 148 projects representing more than 24,000 new and redeveloped beds were either completed, under construction, or approved to begin. The province has also introduced the 2025 Long-Term Care Home Capital Funding Program to give operators greater flexibility to accelerate construction.
“Our government is streamlining the process for selling underused provincial properties and putting these lands back into meaningful use to support key priorities like building more housing and long-term care homes, saving taxpayer dollars and creating more jobs,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The sale of the lands at 50 Bloomington Road in Aurora will enable 160 new long-term care beds and create more opportunities for residents to participate in recreational activities.”
Local and Regional Impact
The initiative has drawn praise from local officials, who see it as a landmark development for both Aurora and the wider York Region.
“Thanks to our government’s initiative to sell surplus lands for the development of critical infrastructure like long-term care homes, not only will Aurora benefit from the addition of a high-quality care home for our seniors, York Region will see the first Francophone/Francophile community village,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket–Aurora.
Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant investment in both health care and cultural infrastructure. “The creation of a new Francophone campus, including 160 long-term care beds, will provide seniors in our community with the modern, high-quality care they deserve, while also celebrating and supporting our vibrant Francophone culture,” Mrakas said.
Representatives of CTB also expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to create a long-term care home that doubles as a community hub. “This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for our Francophone community,” CTB said in a statement. “The Communauté du Trille blanc will be more than a long-term care home; it will be a vibrant hub where seniors, families and community members can live, connect and celebrate our language and culture.”
Building on Previous Surplus Land Sales
The Aurora project follows other provincial sales of surplus government properties for long-term care, including sites in Oakville and Hamilton that, when fully developed, will provide an additional 1,152 beds.
“Our government is delivering housing that meets the needs of everyone in our province — including our aging Francophone community members,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By eliminating development charges on long-term care homes and leveraging our Surplus Lands Program, we are spurring the development of places like Communauté du Trille blanc.”
With Ontario’s seniors’ population rising rapidly, provincial leaders have emphasized that projects like CTB – Aurora will be essential to meeting future demand. The development is expected to ease local pressures on care capacity while providing culturally sensitive options for Francophone residents.
