Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Ontario Investing $180 Million to Boost Nursing in Long-Term Care
New incentives will bring 4,000 new nurses to long-term care and help 4,000 current nurses advance their careers
The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect the province’s long-term care system by investing more than $180 million to launch new programs that will attract and retain close to 8,000 highly-skilled nurses, enhancing the care residents receive.
“Our government is improving long-term care by training, hiring and retaining thousands of health-care workers,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “As a registered nurse, I know how important bringing more nurses into Ontario’s long-term care homes is to helping ensure residents receive the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.”
In August, the Ontario government announced $56.8 million to expand the number of nursing training and education seats at publicly assisted colleges and universities across the province, with the goal of training 2,200 additional nurses into the health-care system. Building on this work, Ontario is now launching a new suite of initiatives to bring more nurses to long-term care:
- Nursing Partnership for Learning, Employment, Development, Growth, and Experience (Nursing PLEDGE) – Ontario will invest $110 million over three years to help homes establish nursing mentorship programs that will help people build careers and skills, supporting close to 4,000 mentors and their mentees by 2027-28.
- Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC) – Ontario will invest $70 million over three years in JOIN LTC, which allows eligible nurses who commit to working in long-term care for two years to receive an incentive of $25,000, with an additional $10,000 available for those who commit to a rural, remote or northern home, plus $10,000 more to help with relocation costs. This program aims to bring 4,000 new nurses to long-term care by 2027-28.
- Externship pilot program – Ontario is investing $665,000 in 2026-27 in a pilot that will enable up to 40 nursing students to work at long-term care homes and gain valuable experience as they work towards graduation.
Building a strong, resilient long-term care workforce is one more way the government is ensuring Ontarians get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve. The plan to improve long-term care is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.
Quick Facts:
- Seniors — people age 65 and older — make up the fastest growing age group in the province.
- In the first quarter of the government’s 2025-26 fiscal year, residents received an average of 4 hours and 5 minutes of PSW and nursing care every day.
- As part of its plan to fix long-term care and address waitlists, the government is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
- Ontario is offering incentives of up to $35,400 to PSW students and eligible PSWs to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.
Quotes:
"Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is continuing to protect Ontario’s health-care system — and that includes protecting long-term care. Through this over $180 million investment, our government is launching new programs to attract and retain highly skilled nurses, ensuring Ontario’s seniors can receive the high-quality care they need and deserve, no matter where they live."
- Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
"WeRPN is pleased with the Ontario government's comprehensive approach to supporting nurses in long-term care settings — the majority of which are RPNs. This critical funding will not only attract more nurses to the sector but also ensure they are well-supported and encouraged to build lasting careers, translating to better, more consistent care for long-term care patients."
- Dianne Martin, RPN , CEO, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)
"This investment represents a significant step forward in strengthening long-term care (LTC) across Ontario. By supporting both new and experienced RPNs, RNs, and NPs, we are advancing the compassionate, high-quality care that residents need and deserve. Nurses play an essential role in enhancing the lives of seniors, and these programs will help build a more stable, expert, and dedicated workforce — one that honours both residents and the nurses who care for them in Ontario’s LTC homes."
- Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, BScN, MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), DHC, DHC, FAAN, FCAN, O.ONT. , CEO, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)
"NPAO welcomes the initiatives and investments introduced today by the provincial government. As healthcare leaders, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) play a key role in providing compassionate, holistic and high-quality care for those living in long-term care (LTC). Supporting the recruitment and retention of NPs in LTC settings is critical to supporting the health, well-being and quality of life of Ontario’s seniors. We look forward to continuing to work with the provincial government to foster LTC environments where NPs can thrive, build careers, develop skills and protect Ontario’s most vulnerable."
- Dr. NP Michelle Acorn, CEO, Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario (NPAO)
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Stuart Osborne
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Stuart.Osborne@ontario.ca
Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.ca
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