» Building Construction 2016

Our new
Spadina Wing

Two landmark gifts will transform Institute’s future

On December 2nd, 2010 the University of Toronto announced that Dr. Eric Jackman donated $5 million to the Institute of Child Study – the largest gift in Canada for early development and childhood education. In recognition of Dr. Jackman’s gift, U of T has renamed the 85-year-old Institute of Child Study to the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, which is part of the University’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Later that evening during the reception at Simcoe Hall, it was announced that Margaret and Wallace McCain donated $3 million to the Institute. The planned new wing in the Institute’s expanded facility, the Margaret and Wallace McCain Pavilion, is named for Margaret and Wallace McCain in recognition of their generous gift to the University.

"An expanded Institute of Child Study, featuring a large public assembly place, will serve to set the bar higher for quality community outreach programs in literacy, parenting, and other related activities that will benefit from a research-based and leading professional education environment for our families."

The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain

Co-author, Ontario's Early Years Reports I and II; Former Lt. Gov. for New Brunswick The Founder’s Network/Council for Early Child Development

Building Plans

An artist's rendering of the improved exterior of 56 Spadina and the public entrance to the new Spadina Wing.

Floor Plans (click to enlarge)

Basement

1st Floor

2nd Floor

3rd Floor

An artist's rendering of the new gym and auditorium in the new Spadina Wing.

All drawings have been prepared by Taylor_Smyth architects.

A Vision for an International Landmark for Children's Development and Education

Dr. Eric Jackman

Dr. Jackman was an award-winning clinical psychologist in the United States before returning to Toronto, and currently serves as President of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. Dr. Jackman is also Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Windsor.

A community leader, Dr. Jackman, together with his wife Sara Jackman, has combined a passion for the arts and education with tireless dedication to family well-being. Dr. Eric Jackman and his three siblings – Chancellor Emeritus (U of T) Hal Jackman, the Rev. Edward Jackman and Senator Nancy Ruth – all attended what is now known as the Jackman Institute Lab School.

Hon. Margaret McCain

The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain, former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, has been a powerful advocate for women’s rights and is a dedicated champion for early childhood development in Canada.

In 1999, Mrs. McCain joined Dr. Fraser Mustard in co-authoring the Early Years Study; and in 2007 she co-authored the Early Years Study 2: Putting Science into Action. These two reports for Ontario describe what our society needs to effectively support young children and families.

The Margaret and Wallace McCain Pavilion, added to the back of the Institute’s Leighton G. McCarthy House will face Spadina Road and will feature a large multi-purpose auditorium/ gymnasium, seminar rooms and modern classrooms to better serve the Institute’s graduate program, Lab School, and Dr. R.G.N. Laidlaw Research Centre.

The McCain Pavilion will allow the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study to open its doors to serve Toronto families for best-practice teaching and family learning; as well as welcome the broader education community and related disciplines. Additional programming will be undertaken in partnership with governments, public school boards and professional and community agencies.

Our Institute in the Making

July 20, 2017

Enjoy this time lapse video of the construction progress.
Thanks to JICS parent David Sutherland for the footage