OCSA Response to the Auditor General Report on Assisted Living Services
December 7, 2021
Auditor General highlights key opportunities for improvements but misses mark on recommendation
for competitive procurement of Assisted Living Services
OCSA welcomes the Auditor General’s Audit on Assisted Living Services as this report confirms several of the concerns our members, clients and their caregivers have raised for years. Most notably it makes it clear that the province has not invested enough in the development of assisted living services to improve the performance of the entire health system. We must work together to focus on a system-wide solutions-based approach that benefits the growing numbers of people who urgently need these services to live well at home and in their community.
The audit identifies several improvement opportunities related to client safety and health system efficiency. We and our members look forward to working with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health on these recommendations to build a better health system, one that leverages assisted living services more effectively and allows vulnerable Ontarians to live well at home.
The Auditor General’s report makes it clear that we all must work together to focus on a system-wide solutions-based approach that benefits the growing numbers of people who urgently need these services.
However, OCSA strongly opposes the Auditor General’s recommendation that funding of these services be allocated through a competitive bidding process. As the province’s experience and the evidence has shown, competitively acquired service delivery of key health service does nothing to improve the quality of care or cost effectiveness of service. Competitive bidding processes are disruptive, create unnecessary turnover in front-line staff, hurts care continuity and quality, and reduces client satisfaction. OCSA strongly rejects this recommendation and implores the government to do the same.
“Assisted living services have experienced tremendous growth in the past years due to their success at keeping people at home and in their community” said Deborah Simon, CEO of Ontario Community Support Association. “The recommendations identified in the report are opportunities to strengthen and expand these tremendous services across the province.”
About OCSA
Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These compassionate 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
and
https://twitter.com/OCSAtweets.
About Assisted Living Services
Assisted Living Services enable over 23,000 vulnerable Ontarians such as seniors those with physical disabilities, Acquired Brain Injuries and HIV/Aids to live well at home and in their communities. Through a combination of 24/7 available supports, scheduled personal support services, homemaking and other services, these programs are a less costly alternative to long-term care or hospital care.
To arrange an interview and more information please contact:
Janice Bedore
Executive Assistant
416-256-3010
1-800-267-6272, ext. 224
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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.
