Ontario to spend $56.8M to increase nursing enrolment

The Ford government has announced $56.8 million in new spending to expand nursing seats in colleges and universities across the province, with the aim of adding 2,200 nurses by 2029. 

The Ontario government "is taking bold and innovating action to make it easier for patients and their families to connect to care," Health Minister Sylvia Jones said at a news conference Wednesday.

Nursing staffing levels have been a source of contention in the province for years. Hundreds of nurses rallied outside several Ontario hospitals earlier this summer to demand CEOs improve staffing levels across the province, with the Ontario Nurses' Association citing a shortage of 25,000 registered nurses provincewide. 

Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032 or risk steeper nursing shortages, the government projected last year,

Jones said that strides have been made in Peel Region in particular. She highlighted the new medical school in Brampton opened by Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as the construction of the new Peel Memorial Hospital. 

Ontario will also be expanding its online nursing training program to help personal support workers and registered practical nurses looking to get a BScN, said Nolan Quinn, minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security at the same news conference.

"Ontario needs more nurses to deliver excellent care in our growing communities." Quinn said.

"These flexible options mean more nurses can upgrade their skills without leaving the workforce," he said. "Nurses play a vital role in our health-care system."

To increase nursing enrolment in colleges and universities in smaller communities, the government launched a learn and stay grant in 2023, which included $96 million to cover tuition and school fees for nursing students throughout the province.

The province is also spending an additional $7.5 million to help universities buy clinical nursing supplies and lab equipment.