In November 2025, the Ontario government launched public consultations for the 2026 provincial budget.
Drawing on input from service users and sector partners, FCO submitted a report outlining strategic recommendations to address gaps and improve outcomes for residents, families, and staff in long-term care (LTC). The submission identified six priority areas for investment and improvement, supported by actionable recommendations to drive meaningful change.
A snapshot of these priority areas is outlined below:
- Strengthen Family Council Capacity and Engagement through province-wide training, digital tools, and standardized supports to enhance communication and support family and Family Council-driven quality improvement initiatives.
- Expanding Quality-of-Life Supports with enhanced recreation, emotion-focused care, and regular satisfaction surveys to support resident well-being and meaningful daily engagement.
- Improving Food, Nutrition, and Mealtime Experience by investing in culturally appropriate meals, specialized diets, and inclusive mealtime practices that promote safe, dignified, and social dining.
- Enhancing Communication, Transparency, and Emergency Preparedness through family-centred communication, public reporting, and preparedness planning to strengthen trust, accountability, and safety.
- Strengthening Human Health Resources by prioritizing recruitment and retention strategies, competitive wages, and professional development to ensure equitable, high-quality direct care.
- Advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Cultural Safety by increasing access to interpreters, inclusive training, and support for community-led programs that promote culturally responsive, safe care.
FCO welcomes collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Long-Term Care to advance these priorities and support sustainable, system-wide planning for the sector. We also encourage sector partners and Family Councils to share their perspectives by submitting input through the official online portal by January 30.