OCSA Urges Government to Close Healthcare Sector Wage Gaps

(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

More Updates

OCSA Welcomes Ontario Budget Investment in Home and Community Care

By Karla Sealy • March 27, 2026

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

March for Meals 2026 Launches Across Ontario – Presented by apetito

By Karla Sealy • March 2, 2026

Province-wide campaign highlights Meals on Wheels as essential to community care

OCSA is part of the For Us For You campaign, a joint initiative lobbying to close the wage gap.

By Davina Yawson • February 13, 2026

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.