Ontario is investing $127 million in the construction of a York University campus in Markham, which will be the first university campus in York Region. York University was awarded the investment in May 2015 for the Markham Centre Campus following an open call for proposals by the province.

The new campus will be located north of Highway 407 between Kennedy Road and Warden Avenue in York Region. It will accommodate an estimated 4,000 students with the potential for more students over time.

Markham Centre Campus will offer various business, arts and social science-related programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide students with opportunities for research, experiential learning and collaboration. York will also partner with Seneca College to offer various joint academic programs at this campus.

“With this announcement of dedicated funding to our new Markham Centre Campus, York University and our partners are one important step closer to opening its doors in 2021,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor at York University, in a press release. “The $127 million in funding from the Government of Ontario will ensure we are able to meet the growing demand for access to leading-edge post-secondary education in York Region, partner with local businesses and industry to provide unique experiential learning opportunities for our students, and contribute to the expansion of the Region’s major economic clusters.”