By increasing its commitment to the home and community care sector Ontario will enable people to receive care where they want to, at home and in their community. 

TORONTO, JANUARY 12, 2023 – The Ontario Community Support Association calls on the province to invest $212 million to enable home and community care organizations to meet growing client needs, address the impact of inflation, and support healthy system innovation – ultimately improving Ontario’s health system. 

Over 1 million Ontarians depend on home and community care annually. The sector serves diverse clients of all ages, from those with mild needs to those with the highest needs, including persons on dialysis and ventilators. OCSA represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services across the province. As a result of the last two years of the pandemic, the combined impact of scarce health human resources and high inflation rates have forced 76% of OCSA members to either cut services or increase waitlists. 

In addition to this investment, OCSA is appealing to the government to strategically allocate the historic $1 billion announced last year for the sector to support contract rate increases, which will add 2.72 million hours of home care services to the health system and divert $302 million in long-term care and ALC costs. 

“In Budget 2022, the province announced significant investments into the home and community care sector” said Deborah Simon, CEO of OCSA. “While a positive step, the level of investment cannot adequately address current and future demand. The province has an opportunity to create a sustainable, integrated health system that fully incorporates home and community care.” 

To read how Ontario can put people first by investing in the home and community care sector, see our pre-budget consultation submission here. 

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About OCSA 

the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services to over one million Ontarians. Our members help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These proactive and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario. For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca or @OCSATweets. 

Interviews are available with Deborah Simon, CEO, OCSA. For more information please contact: 

Karla Sealy (she/her) 

Manager of Communications 

416-256-3010/1-800-267-6272, ext. 242 

karla.sealy@ocsa.on.ca