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On Friday, November 8, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and government officials gathered to break ground on the new Neshama Hospice in Toronto's Clanton Park neighbourhood. Located at 3 Cadillac Avenue, southwest of Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue, this three-storey, 12-unit facility will be North York's first residential hospice designed to provide dignified and supportive end-of-life care.
Attendees at the ceremony included Toronto City Councillor for York Centre James Pasternak, MPP and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Neshama Hospice's Board Chair Mindy Herman, Executive Director Lisa Kronenberg, and Medical Advisor Dr. Sandy Buchman. Their attendance highlighted the collaborative efforts of the community and government in bringing this essential facility to life.
"Neshama Hospice will have a transformative impact on seniors and others in our community," said Councillor Pasternak. "It aligns with the Toronto Seniors Strategy and our city's vision to honour the generations that have built Toronto."
Designed by Hilditch Architect with landscaping by Martin Wade Landscape Architects, the hospice aims to accommodate approximately 250 patients annually. Each patient will have a private room equipped with a washroom and an outdoor patio, allowing family to stay close.
The masonry facade and soft landscaping were designed to create a residential atmosphere. The hospice will include landscaped gardens, areas for family counselling, spaces for spiritual reflection, a children’s play area, meeting rooms for healthcare teams, and a large room for gatherings. Amenities will also include a kosher kitchen and accommodations for Sabbath observance, honouring the hospice’s Jewish heritage while embracing individuals of all cultural backgrounds.
"Many Canadians prefer to spend their final days at home, but in North York, most end up in hospitals," noted Kronenberg. "Residential hospices like Neshama offer a compassionate alternative, providing 24/7 care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs."
Founded by and funded primarily through Toronto’s Jewish community, this includes a significant contribution from the Ganz Family Foundation, after whom the building will be named. Operational funding will be provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Construction management is being handled by CBRE and Renokrew, with interior spaces designed by Stacey Cohen Design.
Dr. Buchman emphasized the holistic approach Neshama Hospice will take: "Our goal is to address all domains of human suffering at the end of life, not just for patients but also for their families and caregivers."
The hospice will function as part of the public healthcare system. It will serve as a more cost-effective alternative to hospital care, with its services costing roughly one-third of an acute care bed.
"We are incredibly grateful to the visionary founders, donors, and volunteers who have given so much of themselves to make this hospice a reality," said Mindy Herman. "Our mission is to ensure that everyone has access to a dignified and compassionate end-of-life journey."
As construction begins, the Neshama Hospice reflects community spirit as a significant addition to Toronto's healthcare, providing comfort, dignity, and support to those in their final stages of life. Completion is anticipated for the fall of 2026.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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