The University of Toronto has announced a C$250 million ($186.7 million) gift from the Temerty Family Foundation in support of efforts to advance health science, healthcare innovation, and health education.

The single largest philanthropic gift ever from a Canadian donor or foundation will support advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning in medicine through the creation of a new Centre for AI Research and Education in Medicine; launch a Toronto Academic Health Science Network Fund in support of biomedical research and collaboration across the university and its partner teaching hospitals; accelerate fundamental, translational, clinical, and rehabilitation science research; support efforts to improve patient care and equitable access to medical education for Indigenous and other underrepresented populations; establish an Elder-in-Residence and a Circle of Elders program to ensure that Indigenous health education and leadership is supported in perpetuity; and support construction of a state-of-the-art Faculty of Medicine building.

The gift also includes $10 million for the Dean's COVID-19 Priority Fund, which supports frontline clinical faculty members and trainees and university researchers working to improve COVID testing, accelerate vaccine research, and advance better therapeutics and prevention strategies. In recognition of the gift, the Faculty of Medicine will be renamed the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Founded in 1997 by Northland Power founder James C. Temerty and his wife, Louise, the Temerty Foundation made the gift in the form of common shares of the publicly traded power company. James Temerty stepped down as board chair of the company last December but remains on the board. 

"We were motivated to help the University of Toronto do what it does best — elevate quality health care and ultimately help as many Canadians as possible," said James C. Temerty. "Our hope is that this gift will further Toronto's and Canada's global leadership in providing the highest quality health care and help to address the most pressing health challenges. We are honored to be doing our part by partnering with the university."