OCSA launches ‘Everyone Needs Home and Community Care’ campaign ahead of 2025 provincial election

Calls on all candidates to pledge to support home and community care

ONTARIO, January 30, 2025 – The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is calling on all candidates in the upcoming provincial election to pledge their support for home and community care, ensuring Ontarians can access the care they need, where they want it. The ‘Everyone Needs Home and Community Care’ campaign highlights the urgent need to expand home care and community support services and close the growing wage gap for frontline workers in community health.


Across the province, seniors, children with complex medical conditions and people with disabilities depend on home and community care. With Ontario’s senior population expected to grow by more than 650,000 by 2029, demand for services is increasing rapidly. Some Community Support Service organizations have seen waitlists increase in size eight times this year, and the province needs approximately 6800 additional personal support workers by 2028 just to maintain current service levels.


“The reality is that everyone, at some point in their lives, will need home and community care,” said Deborah Simon, CEO of OCSA. “Seniors and people with disabilities rely on it to live well and safely at home. Families juggling work and caregiving responsibilities need it to maintain balance. Children with complex medical conditions depend on it to attend school and thrive. Volunteers use it to stay active and contribute to their communities. We are calling on all candidates to recognize the value of our sector and commit to expanding these services so all Ontarians have access to the care they deserve.”


As part of the campaign, OCSA is asking all candidates to commit to two key pledges: Expand Home and Community Care Services – Reduce waitlists and ensure Ontarians can receive care at home, preventing unnecessary hospital and long-term care admissions. Close the Wage Gap to Build a Strong Workforce – Achieve wage parity for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and community nurses to retain and recruit skilled frontline workers, creating over 23.5 million additional care hours for Ontarians.


Home and community care plays a critical role in reducing hospital overcrowding and long-term care placements. Data shows that 5.7% of long-term care admissions could be avoided if proper home care services were available. Furthermore, closing the wage gap would retain 1 in 5 PSWs who would otherwise leave the sector—helping to address the current workforce crisis.


OCSA is calling on all candidates and political parties to take action by signing the pledge at www.ocsa.on.ca. Voters are also encouraged to raise the issue with their local candidates and advocate for stronger home and community care policies.


For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca and follow the conversation using #EveryoneNeedsHCC.


About OCSA
The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) champions a strong, sustainable home and community care sector in Ontario. The association represents over 220 not-for-profit organizations deliver high-quality services that help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with complex care needs remain independent in their homes and communities. These proactive and cost-effective services prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. For more information visit www.ocsa.on.ca or @OCSATweets



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


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By Karla Sealy May 30, 2025
TORONTO, May 30, 2025 - The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Holloway as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 30, 2025. A recognized leader in Ontario's health and community care sectors, Holloway brings over 20 years of experience driving system change, championing equitable access to care, and strengthening community-based services. Her appointment marks a full-circle moment—returning to OCSA after previously serving as Chief of Operations over a decade ago. Holloway's extensive leadership portfolio includes roles as CEO of Bellwoods Centres for Community Living, National Director of Health and Wellness at the Canadian Red Cross, and Interim CEO of CANES Community Care. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and proven ability to lead organizations through complexity while keeping people and purpose at the centre. "Lori is a values-driven leader with deep roots in our sector," says Steve Sherrer, Chair of the OCSA Board of Directors. "At a time when demand for home and community care is growing and the policy landscape is shifting, her strategic insight and operational expertise will be invaluable in advancing OCSA's mission. We're thrilled to welcome her back to the sector and this exciting role with the organization." Holloway takes over from outgoing CEO, Deborah Simon. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Deborah for her tireless dedication and lasting contributions," says Sherrer. "Thanks to her leadership, OCSA is well positioned to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead." This leadership transition comes at an important time as OCSA calls for more support for the sector through its Everyone Needs Home and Community Care campaign. Through the campaign, all Ontarians are encouraged to visit www.everyoneneedscare.ca to learn more and to connect to their MPPs for better funding, visibility, and support for home and community care. About OCSA The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) champions a strong, sustainable home and community care sector in Ontario. The association represents over 220 not-for-profit organizations deliver high-quality services that help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with complex care needs remain independent in their homes and communities. These proactive and cost-effective services prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. For more information visit www.ocsa.on.ca or @OCSATweets 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
By Karla Sealy May 21, 2025
Toronto, ON — Today, on Personal Support Worker (PSW) Day , the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) proudly joins communities across the province in recognizing the extraordinary contributions of Personal Support Workers. PSWs are the backbone of Ontario’s home and community care system, providing essential support that enables people to live safely and independently at home. Each year on May 19th, PSW Day is an opportunity to show our deep appreciation for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of these vital frontline workers. Whether helping seniors with daily tasks, supporting people with disabilities, or providing companionship to those facing isolation, PSWs deliver the care that’s needed—and the care that’s wanted—every single day. As Ontario faces a growing demand for home and community care, the role of PSWs has never been more important. OCSA continues to advocate for investments that will strengthen the PSW workforce, and this is part of the Everyone Needs Home and Community Care advocacy campaign. OCSA encourages all Ontarians to take a moment today to thank a PSW in their life. You can also visit www.everyoneneedscare.ca to learn more about how to support the people who provide essential care in your community. Happy PSW Day—and thank you to all the Personal Support Workers who make a difference every day.
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