May 1, 2003 - Ontario Throne Speech Tabled - The Ontario Community Support Association(OCSA) and the Ontario Home Health Care Providers’ Association (OHHCPA) represent nearly all the front-line care givers in the home and community care system in Ontario. Over the past few months, the two Associations have been speaking to all MPPs across the province about the government’s 1998 promise to fund the home and community care sector by 551.8M over an eight year period. However, in April 2001, the government imposed severe cost containment directives on the home and community care sector. The promise made to Ontarians to enhance the home and community care system as people struggle to meet the medical and social care needs of their loved ones at home, must be honoured.

This week’s Throne Speech mentions Ontario’s commitment to ‘increased home-care services’. OCSA and OHHCPA remain hopeful that the government will make sure that the promise made to Ontarians who need home and community care will be fulfilled by the Ernie Eves government as soon as possible.

For more information about our campaign and the government’s 1998 promise can be found at www.homecareontario.ca or www.ocsa.on.ca

For Further Information:

Sue VanderBent, Executive Director, Ontario Home Health Care Providers’ Association
19 Melrose Avenue South, Hamilton, Ontario L8M 2Y4
Tel: 905-543-9474, Fax: 905-545-1568
Email: suevan@homecareontario.ca , Web Site: www.homecareontario.ca

Joe McReynolds, CEO, Ontario Community Support Association
104 – 970 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3B6
Tel: 416-256-3010 ext. 224, Fax: 416-256-3021
Email: joem@ocsa.on.ca , Web Site: www.ocsa.on.ca