Ryerson University, Algoma University and Sheridan College are working together on a proposal to expand programming and create new, innovative skills training programs in Brampton — including an eventual “modern school of medicine.”

The presidents of all three schools, Ryerson’s Mohamed Lachemi, Algoma’s Asima Vezina and Janet Morrison from Sheridan gave a presentation to Brampton council during a special meeting on Feb. 3 outlining the plan and proposal.

“What we really want to focus on … is how can higher education, both from the university and the college sectors, help the City of Brampton and (Peel) Region drive economic prosperity for the city and the region, but also solve problems, which is the main topic of discussion,” Lachemi told council.

According to their joint presentation, the idea is to establish joint programming and build new infrastructure in Brampton aimed at fostering a local talent pool in three areas: cyber science and security; mental health, addiction and the ongoing opioid crisis; and address hallway health care “by growing system capacity and focusing on digital health innovations.”

All three colleges and universities have a presence in Brampton, with the city already home to Sheridan’s Davis Campus, a downtown Algoma satellite campus and Ryerson’s Chang School of Continuing Education which is currently located at city hall.

Ryerson was set to bring a satellite campus of its own to the city’s downtown before province pulled funding in October 2018, but the university and the city have since partnered up on other initiatives including $5 million in city funding for a cybersecurity catalyst and more recently a planned Ryerson innovation zone in the city.

The new proposal aims to leverage and expand on some of those existing initiatives and partnerships.

The preliminary plan includes a new Brampton Centre for Health and Innovation as well as an Institute for the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness and Addictions – in partnership with a hospital in the Sault Ste. Marie area where Algoma’s main campus is located.

That institute would eventually be expanded to support the proposed Centre for Health and Innovation in Brampton through what the school are calling a “north-south corridor.”

“The beauty of this proposal is that it takes the best from each of the institutions and we work together to create something better,” said Vezina.