The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is one of the world’s leading mental health research hospitals and at the leading edge of breakthroughs in mental health research for over two decades. Promoting collaborative care, the Phase 1C Redevelopment integrated innovative treatment, research and education facilities with commercial and retail space at the heart of Toronto’s iconic Queen Street West community.  

Construction included two new campus structures totaling 600,000 square feet: the McCain Complex Care and Recovery Building, complete with a mental health library, 290-seat auditorium and simulation learning center; and the Crisis and Critical Care Building, which includes a 24-hour emergency department and a complex mental illness unit. Combined, the two facilities will support 235 beds for the acutely ill and patients with complex mental health issues.

Both buildings successfully achieved LEED® Gold New Construction certification in 2021, and feature upgraded surrounding green spaces to promote wellness and an inclusive environment. Adding to its community improvement efforts, the exterior renovation also included restoring the historic heritage wall that surrounds the campus. 

Singled out for demonstrating exceptional innovation and a standard of excellence in public-private partnerships, CAMH received a Silver Award for Project Development at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP), excelling in its extensive plans to integrate new buildings with the surrounding community to create a more inclusive environment. 

To successfully deliver the project on an active campus, the project team took a proactive approach to traffic control planning and communication. Even prior to project implementation, PCL consulted collaboratively with CAMH and the City of Toronto to modify and refine PCL’s proposed traffic plan. The team set up regular touchpoints with CAMH to understand the campus’ traffic flows to ensure construction traffic worked around daily campus operations and anticipated the public experience when visiting the campus. Major work affecting roadways was scheduled during off hours and on weekends to minimize impact. The effort also involved careful placement of fencing, work notification and directional signage and a close integration with CAMH’s communications and operations to issue advance public notifications of planned work and closures. 

Winters in Canada can add a few extra challenges to a project. For one, it is critical to keep the newly erected concrete structures as dry as possible while they are curing. Owing to skilled labor shortages, a simple method was essential for enclosing and adequately heating the building interior for winter construction. 

Engaging PCL’s signature Solution Provider approach, the team developed a cost-effective tarp-and-strap method that employed both, a fast and simple installation method engaging only a carpenter and laborer and using easily obtained material.   

This new facility is one of the many ways Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital continues to drive positive change across the country. As of 2026, PCL is also building two projects under CAMH’s final phase of redevelopment: the Waverley House Secure Care and Recovery Building and the Temerty Discovery Centre where sustainable and innovative solutions such as mass timber and the BubbleDeck system are being implemented.