Ontario to Build New Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters in Etobicoke
Province moves ahead with the Ontario Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters to strengthen 24/7 emergency coordination.
TORONTO — Ontario is moving ahead with plans to strengthen its emergency management system, awarding the contract to begin functional programming for a new Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters—an advanced, purpose-built command centre that will also become the future home of Ontario Corps.
The new facility will be located on a 17-acre site at 111 Disco Road in Etobicoke, selected for its proximity to Toronto Pearson Airport and major 400-series highways. According to the province, the headquarters will serve as Ontario’s 24/7 emergency command centre and be equipped with modern technology designed to improve coordination and response capabilities during large-scale emergencies.
Premier Doug Ford said the investment marks a major step in improving province-wide readiness. In the government’s official statement, he noted: “This new command centre will help us protect communities across Ontario with faster, more coordinated responses whenever emergencies happen.” Ford added that establishing a permanent home for Ontario Corps will ensure volunteers have the tools needed to support communities year-round.
Preparing for More Severe Emergencies
The province’s emergency response network has faced mounting pressure over the past year. In 2025 alone, Ontario experienced one of its busiest wildfire and flood seasons on record, prompting widespread evacuations and deployment of provincial and volunteer response teams.
Ontario Corps volunteers contributed more than 6,000 hours throughout the year, assisting with wildfire evacuations, delivering meals and wellness checks, and setting up flood protection in affected communities. Provincial Field Officers have been deployed for a combined 1,068 days so far in 2025, supporting local emergency operations.
The new headquarters is intended to support that level of activity with a facility designed to withstand all hazards, improve information flow, and centralize decision-making during emergencies.
Designed for Future Challenges
The project is currently in the functional programming phase, which will determine the building’s operational requirements before architectural design begins. WZMH Architects has been awarded the contract for this work, scheduled for completion in 2026.
Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Jill Dunlop said the investment is aligned with Ontario’s broader plan to build resilient infrastructure. In the release, she stated: “Ontario needs a strong emergency management system to stay protected, resilient and ready. That means investing in a modern headquarters designed for future challenges.”
The headquarters will be part of Ontario’s $220-billion infrastructure plan, the largest in Canadian history, which includes building and upgrading transportation, energy, health, and emergency management facilities across the province.
Broad Support From Emergency and Community Organizations
Several partner organizations welcomed the announcement, emphasizing the benefits of enhanced coordination and modern infrastructure.
Representatives from Team Rubicon Canada, GlobalMedic, Kenora Chiefs Advisory, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario 211 Services, St. John Ambulance Ontario, OSARVA, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, and the Independent First Nations Alliance highlighted the value of improved communication systems, stronger provincial coordination, and culturally appropriate support for northern and Indigenous communities during evacuation efforts.
Many groups noted that the new headquarters will help accelerate response times, strengthen training capacity, and better support vulnerable residents during emergencies.
Ontario Corps to Play a Bigger Role
Ontario Corps, made up of trained volunteers, has become a central component of the province’s emergency response strategy. In 2025, volunteers supported wildfire operations, responded to a major spring ice storm, and provided relief during local emergencies across Ontario.
The new headquarters will offer a dedicated space for Ontario Corps operations, logistics, and training — a move organizations say will reinforce community-level preparedness and expand Ontario’s volunteer response capacity.
Building a More Resilient Ontario
As the province continues to face more frequent and severe weather-related emergencies, the government says this project is intended to ensure emergency systems are equipped to respond faster and more effectively.
Construction timelines for the new headquarters will be determined following completion of functional programming in 2026.
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