(Toronto, ON. November 3, 2023.) Yesterday the government released its Fall Economic Statement. While it was good to hear the province echo their $370 million commitment to the home and community care sector, more support is needed. The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is reiterating its urgent call to close the wage gaps that exist between healthcare sectors to ensure that Ontarians across the province receive the best care possible. While OCSA appreciates the significant investments made in home and community care (HCC) in the 2023 provincial budget, closing the wage gap is essential to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals in this sector. 

The wage disparity between healthcare sectors has become a critical issue. On average, hospital nurses earn $10 more per hour than those working in HCC. Additionally, Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Long-Term Care (LTC) earn $4 more per hour than PSWs in the community. This wage gap not only discourages professionals from working in HCC but also impacts the care available to clients who wish to remain in their homes and communities. 

Retroactive increases to hospitals linked to Bill 124 arbitration awards threaten to exacerbate the wage gap. If we allow these disparities to deepen, healthcare professionals will continue to be deterred from working in HCC, resulting in a shortage of skilled workers for the sector and a reduction in service for clients. 

Vacancies for front-line positions in home and community care are also alarmingly high at nearly 20%, and annual staff turnover is approximately 25% - staggering statistics that underscore the urgent need for action. 

Past wage increases for PSWs have improved staff retention. Recently published research demonstrated that a wage parity would retain 1 in 5 PSWs who would otherwise have left their jobs in HCC, resulting in an additional 23.5 million care hours annually for Ontario's HCC clients. 

OCSA strongly urges the government to take immediate action to close the wage gap in the healthcare sector to ensure fair compensation for healthcare workers while also improving access to high-quality healthcare for all Ontarians. 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: 

Rhiana Alfadili  
OCSA Communications Manager  
416-256-3010 / 1-800-267-6272, ext. 219 
Rhiana.Alfadili@ocsa.on.ca