A new provincial report has provided an adjusted timeline for procurement in the Windsor-Essex hospital project.
Infrastructure Ontario released its latest Market Update on Thursday, which indicated that the procurement process for the new acute-care hospital will be pushed into the summer.
The original Request for Quotation (RFQ) was set to take place between April and June. It will now happen between July and September, a three-month delay.
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) stated that the adjustment was necessary to address market conditions, including tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, supply chain issues, cost increases, and labour shortages.
"This adjustment is both prudent and strategic," said Acting WRH President and CEO Karen Riddell. "It positions us effectively to navigate the current industry landscape while remaining fully committed to delivering a world-class acute care hospital that our community needs and deserves."
The hospital added that the overall project is progressing as expected, and the new timeline will have minimal impact on its scope.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie and Essex MPP Anthony Leardi both said that the project is a top priority for the region and that Queens Park continues to work closely with the hospital.
"Adjusting the project to reflect current economic realities demonstrates responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and ensures Windsor-Essex receives a state-of-the-art hospital built to serve generations," said Leardi.
The construction phase of the new hospital is set to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, according to the Market Update.
Complete, up-to-date information on the Windsor-Essex hospital project can be found on its official website.