Statement from CEO Donna Duncan
On the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario:
“The Ontario Long Term Care Association welcomes today’s provincial budget and the government’s continued commitment to strengthening and building long-term care across the province.
Ontario has made historic investments in long-term care in recent years — from capital and infrastructure to staffing and innovation. These investments are transforming the long-term care sector, with 147 projects representing a total of 23,977 new and redeveloped beds are completed, under construction, or have ministry approval to construct. Today’s budget builds on this progress. The new capital program for long-term care recognizes the significant challenges almost 200 older homes face in redeveloping and, combined with proposed development charge relief, will enable many homes across the province to rebuild.
More than 48,000 Ontarians are waiting for long-term care — many in hospitals or without the right supports at home. At the same time, long-term homes are navigating increasing complexity in care, workforce pressures, and rising costs. While today’s operating investment offers support, additional funding will be essential to meet growing care needs and sustain the dedicated teams delivering that care. Long-term care not only supports seniors and families — it also contributes significantly to Ontario’s economy. In 2024, the operations of long-term care homes contributed over $12 billion to Ontario’s GDP and contributed over $173,0000 jobs. In addition, building and renewing 58,000 long-term care spaces will add a further $37 billion in GDP and $25 billion in labour income related to the construction of these important spaces for our seniors.
Long-term care is about people. It’s about our parents, our grandparents, and one day, ourselves. It’s about building a system that recognizes the needs of older adults and ensures care is available, accessible, and embedded in communities, so that seniors can age in place with dignity and support.
We remain committed to working with the government and all partners to remove barriers, implement the measures announced today and strengthen long-term care for all Ontarians — now and into the future.”
May 15, 2025