Ontario Will Be Short 30,000 Nurses and Care Aides in Next 5 Years, With $21.3 Billion Health Care Budget Shortfall: Watchdog Report

Financial Accountability Officer says demand is outpacing funding

Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement on health care with Health Minister Sylvia Jones in Toronto on Jan. 16, 2023. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

A new report predicts Ontario will have a shortfall of 33,000 nurses and personal health care aides, and be short $21.3 billion to cover health care costs in the next five years.

The province’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) released a special health care report on March 8, suggesting the province’s health spending plan “will not meet existing commitments or growing demand.”