Personal Protective Equipment in Home and Community Care Settings

April 10, 2020, Toronto – Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and our over 220 members support over a million vulnerable people across the province and we are proud of all our frontline workers during this incredibly stressful time. Our sector’s main concern during this time of pandemic is the safety of our clients and frontline workers.

We have tabled with government the need to keep our sector top of mind and the need to prioritize the allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to allow workers to provide safe care during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are aware of the government’s actions to obtain resources and appreciate all their efforts. However, the current situation at one of our member agencies, Participation House Markham, is a distressing example of the immense challenges facing the province right now in ensuring an adequate supply of PPE across the health system.

The province must act now to ensure the safety of staff and residents of Participation House Markham and other home and community care providers in Ontario. As community spread is now the main transmission vehicle in Ontario, the provincial allocation of PPE must reflect this.

The home and community care sector encompasses a multitude of services and service providers, including congregate settings such assisted living, transitional care homes, as well as home care and community based programs like Meals on Wheels; services that normally can help keep people healthy and out of the hospital. But our sector can only help keep hospital admissions from mounting with support and, particularly during this time of pandemic, access to PPE supplies. We are all trying our best to do our part, but we cannot succeed without the tools we desperately need.

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.