Bratty family donates $10M to York University Markham Centre Campus

Family behind Remington Group’s Downtown Markham development

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 26, 2020
Heidi Riedner

York Region’s first public university received a substantial boost toward its 2023 completion in the form of a $10-million donation from the R.P. Bratty Family Foundation.

The Brattys are behind the Remington Group real estate development firm -- a privately held, third-generation company with substantial land holdings including Downtown Markham and an extensive portfolio of residential, retail, commercial and income properties across the province.

Synonymous with real estate development in Southern Ontario and throughout Canada, the Bratty family are also noted philanthropists who have supported York for decades.

Their latest effort is a $10-million gift to York’s Markham Centre Campus announced Oct. 16.

The substantial donation reflects a commitment to education that has been passed down through generations of their family since coming to Canada in the 1920s.

“My parents’ biggest regret was that they never got to go to school,” said Rudy Bratty, Chairman and CEO of The Remington Group.

“They regarded education as a privilege, so when I finished high school and decided to become a builder, like my father, he sent me to earn a bachelor’s degree. When I finished that, he made sure I continued on to get a professional degree.”

Rudy Bratty graduated from York’s Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in 1957, beginning a long career as a lawyer and developer.

To honour the contributions of the Bratty family, the university is naming the new atrium in the Markham Centre Campus The Bratty Family Atrium.

“York University is incredibly grateful to the Bratty family and the R.P. Bratty Family Foundation for their generous gift toward the future Markham Centre Campus, and their visionary leadership as supporters of higher education,” said York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton during a livestream of the announcement from the Markham Marriott.

“This contribution will not only support the MCC’s ability to provide a high-quality student learning experience in newly emerging and high demand programs, but facilitate the research, innovation and creative activities contributing to York’s larger mission to build inclusive and resilient communities in one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada.”

In its first phase, the campus will offer up to 4,200 students a range of professionally relevant degree programs and micro-credentials with work-integrated learning opportunities within the community.

“This is the crowning jewel of education in York Region and in Markham,” said Chris Bratty, President of Land Development and Investments for The Remington Group, who spoke at the event on behalf of his parents, Rudy and Catherine, and siblings Matthew, Michael, Mark and Jennifer -- all of whom are active in the family business.

“If my dad were here he’d say that education is the cornerstone of culture and civilization and education really is the tool that enables us to develop other tools and therefore bring out the best in what we have to offer as a society,’ he added. “For my dad, education was so important because it helps us to understand different perspectives. It’s the best tool we have for conflict resolution.”

The family also hopes that by helping to support education in Markham, they will foster the innovation and creativity that comes from young people who are just beginning their journey to higher education.

“This innovation and creativity is best enabled by the presence of the MCC and the countless young people attending the university who will interact in the community and help to shape it in a unique way,” Chris Bratty said. “And that’s the true power of education.”

York Chancellor Greg Sorbara, Board of Governors Chair Paul Tsaparis and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti also spoke at the event, thanking the Brattys for their generosity of spirit and creating a legacy that will impact future generations.

They also praised Lenton's persistence, vision and dedication to the project and for her steadfast determination in making the dream of a York campus in Markham a reality.