March 31, 2026
TORONTO — As Ontario’s largest provider of disability services – including home care and assisted living services – March of Dimes Canada (MODC) welcomes the government’s investments in home care and community support services as part of the 2026 provincial budget.
We’re encouraged by the additional $1.1 billion investment in home care over three years. We are hopeful this will include funding for non-profit community support services for people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, and seniors. Non-profit services, funded by Ontario Health, ensure regulated and high-quality delivery by certified providers.
Budget 2026 provides a substantial renewed investment in home and community care, and we look forward to more details on how these substantial investments will support assisted living services to help people with disabilities. If the government directs a portion of this investment toward assisted living services, it will improve the lives of Ontarians currently on long wait lists, many of whom are living in inaccessible and unsuitable shelters, long-term care homes, or hospitals.
Nearly one in five Ontarians is now aged 65 or older. More than 48,000 people in Ontario are waiting for long-term care, while thousands of people with disabilities are waiting for assisted living support. These numbers continue to rise, yet funding for these services hasn’t kept pace.
Assisted living services (formerly referred to as “supportive housing”, which is now generally reserved for mental health and addictions services) help people with disabilities and seniors live independently while getting the assistance they need in affordable, accessible homes. They keep people connected to their communities and help them avoid unnecessary hospital stays or being placed in long-term care before it’s truly needed.
MODC remains committed to working with the Ontario government, our community, and home-builders to ensure people with disabilities who need assisted living supports and services can access them to lead independent lives with dignity, stability, and connection to their communities.
We also welcome and acknowledge some of the other positive moves the government is making, including:
- $2.5 million to expand inclusive and barrier-free community spaces across Ontario through the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone grants.
- $186 million in new funding for the Ontario Autism Program.
- $53 million investment in expanding mental health-related supportive housing. We appreciate continued investment in Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, which support addictions and mental health treatment and recovery.
- A three per cent increase in funding for developmental services agencies.
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Media Contact:
Brian Hill
Communications Manager
March of Dimes Canada
873-355-9289
