Keeping with its plan of investing $500 million over five years in Ontario jails, the province has started the request qualification process for key projects.
Details of the new and renovated facilities were outlined in last month’s budget.
“The government is expanding the capacity of the adult correctional system, including readiness for future needs associated with the recent bail reforms. This includes adding more space to existing facilities to optimize capacity where feasible, alongside building new facilities and inmate housing, to meet forecasted demand,” it stated in Budget Ontario 2026.
Part of this overall initiative includes the Ontario government issuing a Request for Qualifications to build the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre. The project will add 295 new correctional beds in eastern Ontario and is part of the government’s plan to add 1,436 new correctional beds across the province by 2032.
The expansion project will be approximately 322,000 square feet and is being delivered using a design-bid-build model.
The provincial plan also includes creating increased capacity in jails by including modular facilities at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury and the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton.
The contract was awarded last year to Bird Construction Inc.
Infrastructure Ontario will work with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to manage the project and construction is expected to begin this year.
Each site will increase capacity by at least 50 inmates.
Modular cell blocks will be permanent structures with the design expected to speed up procurement and construction.
Detailing other projects in the budget, a press release from the Solicitor General’s office outlines the building of the new Brockville Correctional Complex – to replace the 184-year-old Brockville jail – and expansion of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, are part of a broader plan to strengthen Ontario’s correctional system with new beds, facility expansions and modernization projects, including:
- 345 new beds at the Thunder Bay Correctional Complex, with construction underway and substantial completion expected by the end of 2026.
- Renovations underway at the Toronto South Detention Centre to add up to 320 additional beds with an expected completion at the end of 2026.
- 150 new beds between the three aforementioned modular expansions in Niagara, Milton and Sudbury.
- 91 new beds at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee.
- 235 new beds at the Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex.
- Installing permanent beds at existing institutions, with 65 beds added to institutions in the north and eastern regions since summer 2025.
- Increased capacity of 110 new beds now in operation at Elgin Middlesex Detention
- Plans for a new eastern Ontario Correctional Complex in Kemptville.
“Launching the Request for Qualifications represents a significant milestone and signals the start of a competitive procurement process to bring a construction partner on board. We remain committed to working closely with our government partners and engaging with experienced proponents who can support the delivery of correctional facilities that meet the province’s long-term needs,” said Infrastructure Ontario president and CEO Angela Clayton.
According to ministry officials, in the coming months, the government will unveil additional expansions, totalling hundreds of new beds to further increase capacity across the province.
