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April 22, 2026, Ottawa, Ont. – In recognition of Earth Day and as part of its longstanding commitment to addressing climate-related risks and opportunities, CHEO is pleased to announce a transformational $2 million investment from BMO to support sustainability initiatives, including the Phase 1 Redevelopment and the future of low‑carbon pediatric care.
Representatives from BMO, CHEO and CHEO Foundation gathered at CHEO today for Leading the Future of Sustainable Care: An Earth Day Celebration of Collective Impact, highlighting a shared vision of environmental impact and accelerating climate-conscious innovation in health care. Hundreds of CHEO employees joined for a complimentary breakfast, followed by a panel discussion led by Steve Read, President and CEO, CHEO Foundation, on environmental responsibility and innovation in pediatric care. Panelists included Vera Etches, President and CEO, CHEO; Siobhan Boon-Devlin, CHEO Youth Forum Member; Richard Webster, Green Team Member; and Michael Torrance, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO.
Health care remains a significant contributor to global emissions, making climate leadership in the sector both urgent and essential. CHEO has emerged as a national frontrunner in this work. As one of the first health-care organizations in Canada to measure its emissions and commit to achieving net zero by 2047, CHEO has already reduced its operational greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent.
“By supporting CHEO’s Phase 1 Redevelopment and its pioneering environmental initiatives, BMO is helping shape a future where exceptional pediatric care and environmental responsibility go hand in hand,” said Dr. Vera Etches, President and CEO, CHEO.
Steve Read, President and CEO at CHEO Foundation, extended his gratitude. “The impact of this gift will be felt for generations here at CHEO and beyond. It’s a partnership that will help us achieve our goals for children, youth, families, communities and the planet we all share.”
“CHEO is setting a powerful example for sustainable health care, and we’re honoured to support that leadership,” said Michael Torrance, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO. “As part of our broader commitment— about $16.5 million in sustainability‑focused giving over the next eight years in Canada—this investment reflects our belief in future‑ready infrastructure and robust tools to measure and manage emissions. Together, this work helps advance a more sustainable future for pediatric health care and the long‑term impact it will create.”
Driving innovation in sustainable health care
BMO’s gift will help address two major barriers to advancing sustainability in health care: the need for future-ready infrastructure (including structures, products and equipment), and advanced carbon accounting tools to measure progress and guide decisions. Specifically, the funding will support:
- The development of a first-of-its-kind, AI-enabled healthcare emissions dashboard to automate and track hospital-wide emissions, with plans to expand to other hospitals across Canada.
- Enhanced sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives on CHEO’s 50-year-old campus, including the construction of a new six-storey, 220,000 square-foot building. The BMO funds will help ensure structures on the CHEO campus surpass basic sustainability standards.
For more information, contact:
Katrina Bussey
VP, Strategy and Communications, CHEO Foundation
613-878-5904
kbussey@cheofoundation.com
About CHEO Foundation
CHEO Foundation is the philanthropic arm of CHEO, CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. For 50 years, CHEO Foundation has been the link between these respected institutions and the generous community that supports them. CHEO Foundation staff members are inspired by donors and community event participants who support pediatric healthcare, cutting-edge research and essential services to ensure children and youth can live their best lives. We are proud to put the interests of kids at the forefront of our decisions, and we are intentional in everything we do. We improve by learning from experiences and by being accountable for our outcomes. We take care of ourselves and each other, embrace equity, diversity, inclusivity and indigeneity, and celebrate success as a team.
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. We are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.
BMO Gives. Good grows here.
Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2025, we directed more than $124 million to drive progress for communities, which included $115.7 million in philanthropic contributions to hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations across North America. Our colleagues spent over 65,000+ hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $40.3 million of donations through employee-driven giving in our annual campaigns. For more information, please visit BMO Gives.