Personal Support Workers (PSWs) need a permanent pay raise this PSW Day
Personal Support Workers (PSWs) need a permanent pay raise this PSW Day
Download Release HereOCSA invites the public to sign a petition so that PSWs are paid the same regardless of where they work
TORONTO, May 19, 2021 – Today is PSW Day and Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is celebrating the crucial work that PSWs do today and every day, especially during COVID-19. We invite the public to sign our petition
asking the Ontario government to pay PSWs in home and community care the same wages as their counterparts in the health system so that they can continue to keep vulnerable Ontarians safe at home.
PSWs are dedicated and compassionate individuals that should be able to choose where they want to work based on their preferences. Unfortunately, due to years of underfunding, PSWs in home and community care are the lowest paid in the health system, making 19% less than PSWs in hospitals and almost 10% less than PSWs in long-term care. Organizations in our sector have not received regular base funding increases over the past decade, while inflation has increased by over 17%.
“PSWs deserve to be paid a fair wage, no matter who they want to work for in Ontario and this PSW Day we call on the government to make things right by making the temporary wage enhancement permanent and give PSWs in our sector wage equality,” said Deborah Simon, CEO Ontario Community Support Association. “Home and community care agencies have been asked to do more with less year after year and are losing valued staff to other sectors because they do not have the funds to compete.”
Not-for-profit home care agencies are at a breaking point and many of them are unable to provide more support to new people due to lack of staff. Community-based agencies can no longer count on fundraising nor can they expect clients to pick up costs through higher user fees to balance their books. The pandemic has negatively impacted fundraising revenues and left many of the most vulnerable unable to pay. With home and community care not being given additional funds in this year’s budget, we are facing an inevitable crisis.
“We need wage parity for PSWs immediately,” continued Simon. “Without more funds for staff pay as well as base budgets, people are suffering silently at home and caregivers are burning out carrying an unmanageable load.”
Ontarians that want to stay living in their homes and communities are finding it hard to get the support they need to do just that and their caregivers are burnt out. Sign the petition to send a clear message to the government here
and join the conversation using the hashtag #PSWWageEquality on social media.
About OCSA
The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services to over one million Ontarians. Our members help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These proactive 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
or @OCSATweets.
Interviews are available with Deborah Simon, CEO, OCSA. For more information please contact:
Michele Vantrepote
Communications Manager
Ontario Community Support Association
416-256-3010 x 242
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More Updates
With Ontario’s senior population expected to nearly double by 2046, the need for coordinated, community-based care has never been more urgent. OCSA’s latest policy paper outlines a practical roadmap for scaling Healthy Ageing Community Hubs—integrated models that deliver health, social, and housing supports to help older adults age safely at home. The paper identifies six key policy recommendations: integrated and flexible funding, expansion of existing models, streamlined regulation, digital health integration, empowered local leadership, and province-wide service mapping. These hubs are already demonstrating improved outcomes—from reduced hospital use to higher client satisfaction—but scaling them requires system-level action. This paper is a call to policymakers, health system leaders, and community organizations to build on what works.
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
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.
