OCSA Statement - Ontario Fall Economic Statement 2021
November 16, 2021
The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is calling on the Ford Government to do more to support the more than one million vulnerable Ontarians relying on Community Support Services after the release of last week’s Fall Economic Statement which did not provide an investment for these important services.
The Ontario Government announced an injection of $548.5 million over three years specifically for the expansion of home care services to support client’s post-hospitalization. This funding is long overdue, and more is required to ensure that critical home care services can continue.
However, home and community care services can do more. While Ontario hospitals and long-term care homes are still under tremendous pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Support Services play a critical role in providing much needed support to the health care system by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and delaying admission into long-term care. These services include programs such as Meals on Wheels©, Adult Day Programs, Attendant Care services, assisted living and respite care that all allow vulnerable individuals to continue to live independently and safely in their homes and communities.
Like other parts of the health care system, Community Support Services have seen increased demand and increase costs due to the pandemic.
Community support services are provided by not-for-profit organizations whose mission is to support the most vulnerable in our society with services they are unable to access elsewhere. Without crucial new investments, many of these organizations will be left with financial deficits and no choice but to cut services, create waitlists or in some cases, increase client fees. OCSA urges the government to take immediate action to ensure community support providers also receive a necessary investment to continue to care for their clients, many of whom have nowhere else to turn.
The sector cannot retain and deploy adequate staff to meet the needs of clients without increased support from government - millions of Ontarians - seniors and people with disabilities across Ontario - depend on this service.
The OCSA is calling on the government to act urgently to address an impending crisis, leaving Ontarians with no support when they are most at risk. We will continue to stress to the government that without supporting the entire home and community care sector, pressure on long-term care will increase as well as the ability to clear hospital post-surgical backlogs.
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 Community Support Services
Community Support Services are an essential part of home and community care and include programs such as Meals on Wheels©, Adult Day Programs, Attendant Care services, assisted living and respite care. The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the importance of these supports, and the critical role they play in the health system.
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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