Mon Sheong plans new 256-bed long-term care home in Markham

Markham is in line for another long-term care home after the Mon Sheong Foundation said Ontario's Ministry of Long-Term Care has awarded it 576 new bed licences.

The foundation, a long-standing charity that runs care homes serving the Chinese Canadian community, plans to use 256 of the new licences for a care centre in Markham. The remaining 320 are earmarked for a new home in neighbouring Whitchurch-Stouffville.

We sincerely thank the Ontario government for its trust in Mon Sheong.

— Tim Kwan, chairman, Mon Sheong Foundation

Kwan said building a new long-term care home is a large and complicated job, and that the licences are only the first step. The foundation must still work with the province and with local municipalities to secure the approvals needed before construction can start. The foundation did not give a site or a timeline for the newly licensed Markham home.

We are deeply grateful to the Ontario government, as well as the City of Markham and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for their continued support and confidence, which enable us to move forward with planning new care homes so that more people in need can receive timely and appropriate care.

— Tim Kwan, chairman, Mon Sheong Foundation

Two homes already under construction

The new licences come on top of work already under way. Chief executive Stephanie Wong said the foundation's immediate focus is on two homes now being built: a 320-bed centre in Markham that is in its final phase and targeted for completion by the middle of 2026, and a 288-bed centre in Richmond Hill expected to be finished by the end of 2027.

The foundation said the additional beds should help relieve pressing local demand for long-term care.

What it means for families

Long-term care homes provide round-the-clock nursing and personal support for people who can no longer live safely at home. In Ontario, admission is arranged through Ontario Health atHome, which assesses eligibility and manages wait lists. Families interested in Mon Sheong's homes can find information on the foundation's website.