Historic $63.2M Investment Positions North York General to Launch One of Canada’s Most Ambitious Workplace Health Initiatives
TORONTO – North York General (NYG) is honoured to announce it has received its largest investment in history to establish a landmark institute on workplace health, thanks to the support of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), in partnership with the WorkSafe Ontario Fund (WSOF).
This transformational investment of $63.2 million will establish the Institute for Workplace Health, an initiative dedicated to improving lives through preventing injury, advancing recovery, and sharing knowledge broadly to strengthen health systems.
It will be the GTA’s first dedicated research and innovation institute applying AI, real-time predictive modelling, and health data infrastructure to workplace injury prevention and recovery – establishing a new game-changing model for workforce health.
“This Institute’s goal is simple: figure out the best ways to protect workers, save tens of thousands of lost productivity hours and free up health care capacity,” Dr. Everton Gooden, President and CEO, North York General, said. “This extraordinary partnership will not only advance research and innovation at NYG but also help to create lasting change in workplace health and safety – enabling NYG to be Here for Life, now and for generations to come.”
The need for this Institute is significant. According to provincial statistics, tens of thousands of people are injured or become ill on the job each year. Last year, the WSIB received roughly 235,000 claims for work-related injuries and illnesses, including more than 72,000 requiring time away from work.
This investment builds on a strong foundation already taking shape at NYG. In January 2026, NYG became home to the WSIB Specialty Disease Program — the only program of its kind in Ontario — caring for workers who develop medical conditions as a result of their work, including occupational lung disease, hand-arm vibration syndrome, occupational skin disorders, and noise-induced hearing loss. Combined with over a decade of specialized worker care through AXIA Health, NYG now brings researchers, clinicians, and technology experts together under one roof to address the full spectrum of workplace health, from injury prevention and recovery to the early identification and management of occupational disease.
The investment will:
- establish three endowed Research Chairs and one Term Chair focused on real-world clinical research advancing predictive and preventative workplace health
- use advances in AI, data science, and clinical informatics to better predict injury risks, improve recovery pathways, and support healthier workplaces
- create and evaluate “KeepWell,” a digital knowledge hub designed to support injury prevention, recovery, and learning for healthcare providers and patients, with the long-term vision of expanding across Canada
- enable the purchase of a new CT scanner and AI-powered X-ray machine to improve predictive modelling and enhance care pathways for some of the most common workplace fractures and injuries
“Through the power of partnership, this historic investment is advancing research and innovation, shaping the future of workforce health for generations to come — not only in North York, but across Ontario and beyond,” said Seanna Millar, President & CEO of North York General Foundation.
“We’re proud to build on our important partnership with North York General to keep Ontarians safer and healthier at work. This is truly an investment for all Ontarians that will help prevent workplace injuries, promote recovery, and manage work-related illnesses,” said Jeff Lang, WSIB President and CEO.
“The WorkSafe Ontario Fund is honoured to be a founding partner in this landmark initiative, the direct result of incredible collaboration with the WSIB and the dedicated leadership of Premier Ford, Jeff Lang, and Dr. Everton Gooden. Their vision in bringing this partnership together will ensure workers across the province have access to the highest standard of care and innovation, setting a new, world-class standard for workplace health and safety.” Joshua Workman, WSOF President and CEO.
