Nursing Shortage Crisis
Ontario faces a shortage of approximately 25,000 nurses, with emergency departments overwhelmed and over 2,000 patients daily waiting on stretchers.
🏥 An in effect Healthcare policy from January 2022 · Bill 124 · Well sourced · Also seen in AB, NS
Updated · Created
"Recruiting More Nurses"
Ontario is investing in programs to train, retain, and recruit nurses — including the Learn and Stay Grant and funding for nursing school seats.
"Our government continues to expand Ontario's health care workforce and add thousands of new nurses to deliver high-quality care for people and families closer to home."
— Sylvia Jones, Health Minister, July 2024
"Bill 124 Created the Crisis"
The government capped nurse wages at 1% for three years via Bill 124, causing a mass exodus during the worst healthcare staffing crisis in Ontario history. Hospitals turned to private agencies charging 3-4x regular rates — spending taxpayer dollars to replace workers the government drove away.
- Ontario projected 33,000 nurses and PSWs short by 2028 (FAO)source
- Agency nurse spending increased 300%+ at hospitals since Bill 124source
- Bill 124 ruled unconstitutional — court found it violated collective bargaining rightssource
- Emergency department closures spiked across rural Ontario due to staffing shortagessource
This section represents editorial interpretation of documented evidence.
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