The Ontario government is making a major investment in the province’s healthcare system, announcing more than $180 million in funding to recruit and retain nearly 8,000 nurses in long-term care homes.
The new funding, unveiled by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, will launch several initiatives designed to address staffing shortages and improve quality of care for residents.
The Nursing Partnership for Learning, Employment, Development, Growth, and Experience (Nursing PLEDGE) program will receive $110 million over three years, supporting 4,000 mentorship opportunities to help nurses build long-term careers in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC) program will invest $70 million to offer up to $25,000 in incentives for nurses who commit to working in long-term care for at least two years — with additional bonuses for those serving in rural or northern regions.
An additional $665,000 externship pilot program will allow up to 40 nursing students to gain hands-on experience in long-term care homes as they work toward graduation.
The investment builds on Ontario’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its healthcare workforce, including a $56.8 million expansion in nursing education announced earlier this year.
The province says these initiatives align with its broader plan to improve long-term care through four key pillars: staffing and care, quality and enforcement, modern and safe homes, and better access to services for seniors.