UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH-HUMBER MIGHT MOVE TO BRAMPTON

Brampton might be getting a downtown university campus in as little as four years.

City council received a presentation from representatives from the University of Guelph-Humber (UofGH) at a recent committee of council meeting about the school potentially moving its main campus from Etobicoke to Brampton. UofGH is a partnership between the University of Guelph and Humber College and operates as a separate institution from both. It offers both college diploma and university degree programs and gives students the opportunity to earn both a diploma and degree in four years.

This isn't the first time UofGH has expressed interest in a possible move to the Flower City, with council passing a motion supporting initial interest expressed by the institution in June 2021.

However, prior to the recent meeting, city staff had informed council little progress had been made in talks with post-secondary institutions, including UofGH. As a result, council subsequently voted to cancel its BramtponU initiative after it was revealed consulting fees had exceeded $600,000. It is unknown how much or if any of that money was spent on efforts to woo UofGH.

While no official negotiations have been held yet, UofGH says it has been in ongoing talks with city staff and the provincial government while reaffirming its desire to move to Brampton. The university is now seeking a tentative commitment from council so it can move forward in presenting its business case and application to the provincial government.

"We have continued to update the province on the potential relocation and prepare to meet approval requirement," vice-president of external affairs and professional learning Kelly Jackson told council.

"We are committed to making significant investments to support the relocation and to work together to put a local stamp on the UofGH brand, making this truly a Brampton university," she added.

The university said it would like to become the anchor tenant in the city's planned downtown Centre for Innovation. However,

that project hasn't broken ground yet and no timeline has been provided for construction or its completion.

Bringing a university campus to Brampton has been a council priority for well over a decade. While home to Sheridan College and a small Algoma University satellite campus, Brampton remains the only major city in Ontario without a major university campus.

UofGH has 5,130 fulltime students and more than 700 part-time students enrolled at its Etobicoke

campus, with 40 per cent of its current student body residing in Brampton or Peel Region. The university said it also has more than 400 field placement partners in Brampton.

"These students (would) have greater choice and access to university degree programs closer to home, (and) programs that are connected to local employment pathways and to job placements," Jackson said.

"Students who are looking to build on their undergraduate education and take a master's degree

(would) no longer have to leave the city. Just think about what it would mean for students and families in terms of the savings in commuting alone," she added.

UofGH also highlighted the economic impact its proposed campus would have on the city, estimating it would add $94 million to Brampton's GDP and $64 million in labour income annually.

Members of council expressed their ongoing support and moved into closed session for further discussion.

However, there were some concerns raised over costs, logistics and whether Premier Doug Ford would support the campus moving from his home riding in Etobicoke to another city.

"How does Doug Ford allow a major institution to leave his community and come here?" Deputy Mayor and Wards 3 and 4 Coun. Martin Medeiros asked, with Jackson responding that UofGH had other plans for its existing campus and wouldn't be pulling out of Etobicoke entirely.