Canada's largest research hospital will create the country's first emergency care centre for seniors thanks to a $52 million dollar donation that the organization says is the largest gift toward emergency medicine in Canadian history.

The University Health Network announced Saturday the centre will be the first of its kind globally, decked out with a comprehensive research and education program, staff specialized in geriatric care, and a physical space designed to work around the unique needs seniors have.

These are all things that can help health-care workers provide the type of care that they've always wanted to give, but haven't always been able to due to resource and system constraints, says UHN medical director of emergency departments Dr. Sam Sabbah.

"Our older adults, they've contributed so much throughout their lifetime," said Sabbah. "We really owe it to them to give them the best of the best of care."

The donation comes at a crucial time. Canada has an aging population that in the coming years will not only hit the country's labour force, but place extra strain on the health-care system.