SCARBOROUGH, Ont. — Ontario is making its largest-ever annual investment in long-term care, increasing funding to a record $1.92 billion to support staffing and care across the province’s homes. The announcement comes as the government surpasses its goal of providing residents with an average of four hours of direct daily care from nurses and personal support workers (PSWs).
The funding marks a significant milestone in the province’s ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen the long-term care system, which serves more than 70,000 residents across Ontario.
“Our government is making historic investments to improve long-term care, by training, hiring and retaining thousands of health care workers,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This record investment into staffing will ensure those living in Ontario’s long-term care homes receive the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.”
Record Funding to Support Staff Growth
The nearly $2 billion investment builds on the province’s four-year, $4.9-billion staffing plan, first launched in 2021, to bolster recruitment, training, and retention across the long-term care sector. Over the past four years, Ontario has added more than 16,000 nurses and PSWs to the provincial workforce.
Government officials say the funding will cover salaries and employment costs associated with the expanded staffing levels. Programs such as the PSW Incentives Program and the Supporting Professional Growth Fund—which has helped more than 45,000 long-term care employees advance their careers since 2022—have been central to that success.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is continuing to protect Ontario’s health-care system — and that includes protecting long-term care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Through this historic investment to increase the long-term care workforce, we are ensuring that Ontarians can receive the high-quality care they need and deserve, no matter where they live.”
A Measurable Increase in Resident Care
The ministry reports that residents in long-term care now receive, on average, more than an hour of additional direct care each day compared to 2021—a 36 per cent increase, equivalent to 15 extra days of hands-on care per resident each year.
The province reached an average of four hours and five minutes of daily nursing and PSW care in the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year, achieving a target that industry associations have long considered a benchmark for quality care.
Four-Pillar Plan to Modernize Care
Ontario’s long-term care strategy is guided by four key pillars: improving staffing and care; enhancing quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to health services.
The investment complements the province’s commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds, as well as recent funding increases for post-secondary nursing programs. In August 2025, the government announced $56.8 million to expand nursing enrolment at publicly assisted colleges and universities, and introduced new incentives of up to $35,400 for PSW students and eligible workers entering the sector.
Sector Leaders Applaud Milestone
Industry leaders and care advocates praised the announcement as both a validation of progress and a commitment to sustain improvement as the population ages.
“Seniors are the pillar of our society, which is why this critical $2 billion investment will ensure that we support the staff and PSWs in our long-term care system,” said Aris Babikian, MPP for Scarborough—Agincourt. “This historic investment is just one part of our government’s efforts to ensure that seniors live in dignity, with access to the care, support and respect they deserve.”
Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, called the milestone “a significant achievement for residents, families and care teams across Ontario.”
“Achieving and sustaining an average of four hours of direct daily care is a significant milestone for residents, families and care teams across Ontario. This historic investment reflects years of progress and partnership to strengthen staffing and improve the quality of life in our long-term care homes,” Duncan said. “As resident needs grow more complex, this investment ensures we can maintain and build on the care improvements achieved to date — laying the foundation for even better care in the years ahead.”
Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, echoed the sentiment, noting the long-term advocacy that led to the current benchmark. “This investment and the sector’s success in reaching the four hours of care average deserve high praise. Nothing has a more direct and positive impact on residents’ quality of life than more staff,” Levin said. “We commend the government for taking concrete steps to make this goal a reality.”
Tim Kwan, Chairman of the Mon Sheong Foundation, said the new funding will strengthen workforce development and quality of care across the foundation’s five homes. “It not only enhances our staff’s growth and development, but also ensures higher quality care for the seniors we serve.”
A Commitment to Ontario’s Aging Population
Seniors remain Ontario’s fastest-growing demographic, making investments in long-term care staffing and infrastructure a cornerstone of the province’s broader health strategy.
With this latest funding commitment, Ontario is signalling its intent to not only maintain but expand the gains made in care quality and workforce stability. As the province prepares for a growing and aging population, officials say the goal remains clear: ensuring every resident in long-term care receives the dignity, compassion, and attention they deserve.
