Humber River Health Sues Builder for $100M Over Uneven Floors
Humber River Health is suing the consortium behind its northwest Toronto facility for $100 million, claiming faulty construction is causing serious safety and operational issues—including uneven floors that affect patient care.
Hospital Says Floors Are Not Flat—And That’s a Big Problem
In its lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court this April, the hospital alleges a “sizable portion” of its floors are not level or flat. Some flooring is also deteriorating, making it hard to transport equipment, food, supplies, and even patients.
Wheeled items reportedly roll on their own, requiring rubber stoppers to keep them in place.
“Floor levelness is a critical operational and safety issue,” the hospital’s legal claim states.
According to Humber River Health, the floor conditions have already created safety risks for patients and staff—and forced closures of critical rooms due to maintenance.
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The Digital Hospital with Construction Woes
Humber River Hospital opened in October 2015 and was promoted as North America’s first fully digital hospital. The Ontario government signed a 30-year public-private partnership with Plenary Health Care Partnerships. The agreement covers the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the hospital.
Humber River Health spokesperson Joe Gorman said the hospital is taking all necessary steps to keep patients and staff safe. He added they are actively working to fix the ongoing issues.
Plenary Health has not filed a formal defense yet and declined to comment, citing contractual obligations.
Not the First Legal Battle
This is the fifth lawsuit involving the hospital’s design and construction. Since 2023, Plenary Health has filed at least $10.4 million in claims against contractors and subcontractors over issues such as:
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- Flooding from valve and breaker leaks
- Design flaws in the domestic water system, which disrupted hot and cold water in patient rooms
- A leak above the cancer care unit ceiling
Subcontractors involved in those lawsuits have denied liability. In some cases, they’ve launched third-party claims, arguing another subcontractor should be held responsible if the court finds damages are owed.
Government Silent as Legal Disputes Grow
CBC Toronto contacted Ontario’s Ministry of Health to ask if it had concerns about these construction issues, given the hospital is only 10 years old. The ministry declined to comment, citing ongoing court proceedings.
With multiple lawsuits piling up and safety concerns at play, the spotlight is now firmly on the structure once celebrated as a model for the future of Canadian healthcare.
Do you think public hospitals should have stricter construction oversight—even in public-private partnerships? Let us know your thoughts.
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/humber-river-hospital-floors-lawsuit-1.7546364
- https://ca.news.yahoo.com/n-w-t-government-ends-080000962.html
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