Staffing crisis threatens home and community care sector with 421% increase in vacant RN positions and 331% increase in vacant PSW positions
Staffing crisis threatens home and community care sector with 421% increase in vacant RN positions and 331% increase in vacant PSW positions
New survey from the Ontario Community Support Association shows sector frontline staff vacancies nearly tripled from 2020 to 2021
TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2022 - The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is sounding the alarm on the state of their sector with the latest survey* results on staff vacancy rates.
According to the recent OCSA member survey results for 2021, across their three top frontline positions (PSWs, RN, RPNs) for both full-time and part-time employment, 17.4% of positions are vacant. This is nearly triple last year's survey results which showed a vacancy rate of 6.8%. As well, 26.1% of all RN positions are vacant, an increase of 421% while 14.2% of full-time PSW positions are currently vacant – this is a 331% increase in vacant full-time PSW positions in the sector.
OCSA is a member organization representing more than 220 agencies across Ontario that together support more than one million Ontarians in home and community care services. The sector cares for diverse clients of all ages across the province, with a range of care needs including vulnerable clients on dialysis and home ventilators. Services include nursing care, personal care, rehabilitation, adult day programs, supportive housing/assisted living programs, Meals on Wheels, transportation, transitional care and much more.
"Our member organizations can no longer maintain current service levels without adequate resources," says OCSA CEO Deborah Simon. "These are non-profit organizations that rely on government support and fundraising. Many have long waitlists and no staff to service the clients. The shortage has led to longer waitlists, triaging of clients, and the current trajectory will lead to cancellation of programs or services and with it, increased caregiver burden as well as added pressures on long-term care (LTC) and hospitals across Ontario."
Staff are leaving the home and community care sector in droves, many to other sectors where there are incentivized opportunities to shore up similar roles in hospitals and LTC. This means PSWs in the home and community care sector have the same education yet make an average of 19% less than PSWs in the hospital sector and 9% less than PSWs working in long-term care. Registered nurses in home and community care also make significantly less despite the same education – an average of $11.00 less per hour, or 32% less than in hospitals.
OCSA is calling on the government to urgently address this by:
- Repealing Bill 124 – Home and Community Care Health Service Providers cannot compete with LTC/Hospitals that are able to pay higher wages for the same staff roles
- Making pandemic pay permanent
- Recognizing the massive wage parity issue
- Striking an urgent task force in the sector to address these HHR issues and report back to government with a system wide plan
"We've seen that this crisis has been quietly building as one arm of the system gets funding while the other, which is designed to keep people safe at home and alleviate the burden, is in dire straits. There is no longer any runway," says Simon. "We are sounding the alarm bells before it's too late."
About OCSA
Celebrating our 30th anniversary, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 220 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.
About the Survey*
OCSA conducted two surveys, one in February 2021 and one in February 2022. Both surveys had over 60 OCSA member responses. The returned samples represented over 11,000 frontline positions in both surveys. Both surveys asked members to identify the number of FT, PT and casual RN, RPN and PSW/Attendant care positions in their organizations and the number of people filling those positions on December 31st, 2020, January 30st, 2021, December 31st, 2021 and January 30th, 2022. We used December 2020 and December 2021 data due to data completeness. Some entries were missing January 2022 data.
For further information: Media Contact: Janice Bedore, Executive Assistant, Janice.bedore@ocsa.on.ca, 1-800-267-6272 ext. 224
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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.
