2020 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
A SYSTEM IN NEED OF REBALANCING
Helping Ontarians live well at home through home and community care
Introduction
At the heart of our health care system are Ontarians who need and receive critical health services at home and in their communities. This point is often lost in the discussions about hallway health care, the alternate level of care (ALC) issue and health system transformation. This submission will tell the stories of Eric, Joy and Albert to illustrate the way the current health care system shapes the lives of everyday Ontarians and how the impact of home and community services can help to rebalance outcomes.
In 2019, a record 5,400 patients in Ontario hospitals were designated ALC and in June, there were over 1,000 people being treated in hospital hallways across the province.1 Not only is this an ineffective use of limited resources, it is a situation that no patient or family member wants to experience. In fact, the cost of caring for a single patient using an ALC bed for one year is comparable to three people living safely and independently at home and in their communities in the same period.
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Our health system needs to be drastically, yet safely, rebalanced to better serve people. Home and community care services have untapped potential to help end hallway health care and reduce the demand for more expensive institutional settings like hospitals and longterm care. A recent study found that the biggest concern of people transitioning home from hospital was not enough publicly funded home care services to meet their needs.2 The development of Ontario Health and Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a key opportunity to strengthen the home and community care sector by enhancing integrated care across the entire health care system.
We know that if no changes are made, the waiting list for long-term care is expected to balloon to 40,000 people over the next few years. This is a situation that can be alleviated. Last year, almost 18,000 people living in longterm care homes could have continued to live at home and in their communities if the proper supports were available and appropriately funded.
Ontarians, like Joy and Eric, wish to receive care at home and in their community, but systemic issues can prevent that from happening, costing all of us in the long run.
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More Updates
Ontario, March 27, 2026 — The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) welcomes the Ontario government’s continued investment in home care and community support services as part of the 2026 provincial budget. Building on recent commitments, this investment signals a sustained shift toward strengthening care in the home and community as a central pillar of Ontario’s health system. As demand continues to grow—driven by an aging population, increasing caregiver strain, and sustained pressure across hospitals and long-term care—expanding access to care outside of institutions is critical to improving system flow and long term sustainability. “We are listening closely to what Ontarians are telling us—and so is the government,” said Lori Holloway, CEO of OCSA. “People want to receive care at home and in their communities, surrounded by the people and supports that matter most. This investment reflects that reality and moves us further toward a system designed around where people actually want and need care.” Home care and community support services each play distinct but complementary roles. Home care provides essential clinical and personal care in the home, while community support services focus on prevention, independence, and quality of life through programs such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day programs, and caregiver respite. Together, they form the foundation of a modern, community-based care system that helps people remain at home longer while reducing avoidable hospital use and delaying or preventing long-term care placement. This level of sustained investment has the potential to significantly expand access to care at home, strengthen community capacity, and improve outcomes for individuals and families across the province—while supporting a more balanced and sustainable health system overall. OCSA is committed to working with government and system partners to ensure these investments translate into real improvements in access, stronger community supports, and measurable impact for Ontarians. About OCSA The Ontario Community Support Association represents more than 200 not-for-profit organizations providing home care and community support services across the province. OCSA members deliver essential services that help people live independently, age at home, and reduce pressure on hospitals and long-term care. For media inquiries please contact: Karla Sealy (she/her) Manager of Communications 416-256-3010/1-800-267-6272, ext 242 karla.sealy@ocsa.on.ca
Province-wide campaign highlights Meals on Wheels as essential to community care
Ontario relies on community health workers every day to treat illness, support mental health, provide care at home, help people live independently, and keep families well, and in many cases, they provide this care 24/7. They care for people of all ages and backgrounds, often with highly complex needs, and they are essential to achieving a sustainable and high performing healthcare system. Closing the wage gap is not simply about fairness; it is about protecting access to care, reducing system pressure, and ensuring Ontario ’ s healthcare investments deliver maximum impact. The ten provincial community health associations are committed to working collaboratively with the government to build a stable, sustainable community health workforce, which supports a stable and sustainable healthcare system, a goal we all share.
