Building a healthier Ottawa: 4 ways Minto gives back
Since our early beginnings, we’ve been guided by one mission: to leave the world better than we found it. It’s why we give to organizations and causes that are making a positive impact. And it’s why we’re so proud to play a role in helping to build healthy, thriving communities in every region we’re part of.
In Ottawa, a large part of our philanthropic efforts have revolved around healthcare. We believe that investing in our local hospitals will ensure we continue to leave the world better off for generations to come. In this article, we share four healthcare organizations we’re proud to give back to.
1. Ottawa Hospital: The largest donation in Ottawa healthcare history
The shareholders of the Minto Group have cemented their legacy as pillars of the community in Ottawa. In 2019, they stepped forward with a $25-million donation to support the vision to build the most technologically advanced hospital in Canada. This donation was the single largest healthcare donation in Ottawa history.
Source: Ottawa Hospital
Part of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s historic Campaign to Create Tomorrow, the donation will help fund the largest academic research hospital in the country where researchers and clinicians will work together to advance medical practice and provide cutting-edge care.
“It is an incredible opportunity we've been given to help so many through our philanthropy. We, along with the generosity of so many others, will completely transform how our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren living in the Greater Ottawa area will be cared for. No one else will do this for us. It's our turn. It's our time.” – Roger Greenberg, Chair of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow and Executive Chairman, Minto Group
From strengthening Ottawa’s critical care services to making groundbreaking new treatments accessible to patients, the decision to support this campaign will help revolutionize healthcare for generations to come.
This exciting new healthcare hub is expected to open in 2028, and will replace the nearby Civic, originally built in 1924 and paid for by the community.
2. Montfort Hospital: A mural for Ottawa mental health and wellness
In 2020, Minto donated $250,000 to support the development of the Mental Health and Wellness program at The Aline-Chrétien Health Hub (formerly The Orléans Health Hub). The hub is a unique and innovative model that brings a wide range of specialized and community healthcare services under one roof, and will offer residents a range of clinics, rehabilitation programs, seniors’ services, and more.
“Nature Flows Through Us” mural by Ryan Smeeton
To inspire staff, patients, and visitors—and to visually commemorate Minto’s contribution— we also gifted a new mural to the hospital. Flowing lines and soothing colours depict a sunset scene that evokes a connection to nature.
“Maintaining a personal relationship with nature is vital. It’s intrinsically interwoven with one’s health and well-being. This project was the perfect opportunity to expand upon this vision with a piece that contributes to a healing, soothing, and forward-thinking environment.” — Ryan Smeeton, Mural Artist
The partnership is one we take great pride in. In the words of Minto Communities Ottawa’s Division President, Brent Strachan: “We are thrilled to help care for the health of our community by supporting such a progressive, innovative facility that’s uniquely focused on the mental health needs of patients.”
Learn more about Minto's donation to the new Orléans health hub here.
3. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario: Building hope for the future
Minto has been a proud supporter of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for many years. In fact, for over two decades, we’ve designed and built the grand prize Minto Dream Home for the annual CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery working with over 70 trades to bring the year-long project to life and pouring our heart and soul into each home.
Our partnership with CHEO is one that represents hope—hope for the Ottawa community and hope for families in need. Together we’ve raised millions to help CHEO continue a range of pediatric programs, life-changing research, medical and nursing education, state-of-the-art equipment, and so much more.
The 2023 Minto Dream Home - "The Equestrian" - the energy-efficient home is built to be 81% better than today's building code.
Minto Dream Homes through the years
Since 2001, our partnership with CHEO to build the Minto Dream Home has helped us continue our commitment to research and innovation in building better homes and communities.
Every year we’re challenged to design a home that is future-proofed to be more resilient and efficient. With a holistic approach to sustainability and wellness that extends beyond the walls of a home, we craft the Minto Dream Homes with a direct connection to nature in mind and work to reduce the home's carbon footprint, energy consumption, and construction waste. From our first Net Zero Energy home for CHEO in 2019—the Hampton Minto Dream Home—to the 2022 Minto Dream Home, we continue to build homes that are better for our homeowners and better for the planet.
Take a trip down the Minto Dream Home memory lane here.
Learn more about the 2023 Dream Home — The Equestrian.
4. The Royal Ottawa Hospital: Leaders for mental health
Last but not least, we Minto gives back to mental health and wellness through our partnership with the Royal Ottawa Foundation.
Every year for the past five years we have been a sponsor and participant in the Leaders for Mental Health Breakfast — an event that brings together the Ottawa community and business leaders to raise awareness and funds for mental health care and research.
This year, the event took place at the EY Centre, and highlighted the world-class mental health programming, specialized care and transformative research that takes place at the Royal Ottawa, along with personal stories shared from doctors and scientists who are discovering the future of mental health care every day in the Royal Ottawa clinics.
The goal of the breakfast? To foster awareness, to raise funds for care and research, and to build compassion and understanding. Minto is proud to be a part of such a noteworthy cause.
Interested in being part of a team focused on contributing to the greater good of every community we are a part of? Visit our Careers page to learn more and browse our open roles.