Government investments welcome, stronger public health measures also needed
September 25, 2020
Premier Doug Ford
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A1
OPEN LETTER
Dear Premier Ford,
It is with concern that we write you today around the growing number of new cases of Covid-19 these past couple of weeks. Earlier this week, the Public Health Agency of Canada released very concerning modeling of a second wave which is noted to be exponentially higher than the first. Yesterday, a group of 38 health care leaders along with the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), a strong partner of ours, provided a list of specific actions
that could be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The measures implemented now and where needed regionally, are essential in helping to reduce the risk reaching those levels.
We are supportive of your announcement this afternoon, to apply additional measures and restrictions to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments and to close strip clubs as well as requiring businesses or organizations to comply with recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. We see this as a very positive step moving however given how rapidly these new cases are growing, we urge you to consider pushing public health measures even further. Our home and community sector providers who are actively on the frontline lines in the community, are concerned about the impact of this second wave of COVID-19, especially with heightened community transmission. We believe that enacting all the measures mentioned in the OHA’s letter, will help further curb the spread of COVID-19 and will protect the ability of our health care system, including home and community care, to continue providing essential services to vulnerable Ontarians during this pandemic.
We would like to acknowledge today’s announcements regarding investments for our sector. We were pleased that the government is investing $457.5 million to increase community capacity so that home and community care can be enabled to reduce pressure on the health care system considering the challenges around this pandemic. We look forward to learning more details about this announcement in the coming weeks.
Thank you,
Deborah Simon,
CEO
Ontario Community Support Association
Cc:
The Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
Mark Lawson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier
Heather Watt, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health
Laurel Brazill, Director, Stakeholder Relations to the Minister of Health
Anthony Dale, President & CEO, Ontario Hospital Association
Board of Directors, Ontario Community Support Association
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More Updates
ONTARIO, March 1, 2025 - This March, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is proud to stand with communities across Ontario in support of March for Meals, an annual campaign highlighting the essential role of Meals on Wheels programs. Delivered in 181 communities across the province, these programs provide nutritious meals, social connection, and safety checks for vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities. Meals on Wheels Ontario, with the support of belairdirect, encourages Ontarians to show their support for March for Meals and the local Meals on Wheels programs that serve their communities. Together, these programs deliver over 3 million meals annually and provide vital assistance to nearly 70,000 Ontarians. As the demand for nutritious and affordable meals grows, so too do the challenges faced by local programs—including underfunding and volunteer shortages. Now more than ever, community support is essential to ensuring these programs continue to provide a lifeline to those who need it most. “Meals on Wheels programs are a cornerstone of home and community care in Ontario, ensuring that seniors and adults with disabilities have access to healthy meals, social connection, and safety checks,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of OCSA. “However, these programs face growing demand and funding challenges. March for Meals is an opportunity for all Ontarians to rally around these essential services and support their sustainability so that no one is left behind.” During the month of March, community-based Meals on Wheels programs across the province will host special events, engage local officials, and encourage community participation to raise awareness and support for these critical services. OCSA invites Ontarians to learn more about the impact of Meals on Wheels and explore ways to get involved. For more information on March for Meals and how you can support your local Meals on Wheels program, visit Meals on Wheels Ontario . 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 that 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
Voter support strongly linked to party policies on Home and Community Care
Calls on all candidates to pledge to support home and community care
CONTACT US
180 Dundas St. W., Suite 1400-B,Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
416-256-3010 | 1-800-267-OCSA
info@ocsa.on.ca
Charitable Registration #:
13426 9505 RR0001
HOURS
Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
INFORMATION
OCSA is being hosted on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
