Investing in the Future of Long-Term Care

Midhurst/August 21, 2026 – The County of Simcoe welcomes the Province of Ontario’s recent announcement of its investment of nearly $75 million to strengthen the long-term care workforce, highlighting the importance of recruiting, training, and retaining the skilled professionals who provide care to seniors across the province.

At the County of Simcoe, investing in people is our priority, especially in our four long-term care homes and seniors’ services locations.

“The quality of care our residents receive is a direct reflection of the dedicated people who work in our long-term care homes every day”, said Warden Basil Clarke. “Simcoe County has made significant investments in staffing, recruitment, and professional development because we know a strong workforce leads to better outcomes for residents. We welcome Ontario’s continued commitment to strengthening the long-term care sector and supporting the professionals who provide compassionate, high-quality care to our seniors.”

Between 2021 and 2025, staffing hours across the County’s four long-term care homes increased by more than 40 per cent, resulting in approximately 200 additional positions dedicated to resident care. As a result, County homes continue to deliver exceptional care, with residents receiving an average of 4.65 hours of direct care per day across all long-term care homes in 2025 and 2026, well above provincial requirements.

The County is also focused on building a strong workforce for the future. Over the past few years, Long-Term Care and Seniors Services has:

• onboarded 464 new employees, including more than 90 nurses, while recruitment events, streamlined hiring processes, and professional development opportunities helped attract and retain talented health-care professionals
• enrolled 11 nurses in the Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN), which provides up to $25,000 in recruitment incentives and additional rural bonuses for eligible positions
• registered 62 Personal Support Workers through provincial commitment funding programs, supporting recruitment into long-term care careers
• enrolled 11 RNs/RPNs through the new Ontario Health JOIN LTC funded initiative
• provided up to $3,500 per year in education incentives
• provided higher compensation and benefits than other organizations across the long-term care sectors

The County has also supported staff advancement through education and career development initiatives, helping employees grow their skills while continuing to serve residents. Additionally, the County has reduced agency staffing costs in 2026 by 77% compared to 2024 by creating a stronger, more stable internal workforce.

The County takes staffing in our long-term care homes very seriously and is committed to ensuring that residents’ needs remain the top priority for all employees. We continually work to improve the quality of care across all of our homes, including through enhanced monitoring to ensure compliance with all requirements. We also strive to ensure staffing levels are not only adequate but exceed provincial standards wherever possible, while also creating a balanced work life for our valued employees.

Provincial recruitment and retention programs have further strengthened these efforts, helping long-term care providers connect more nurses and personal support workers with rewarding careers serving Ontario’s seniors.

As demand for long-term care services continues to grow, Simcoe County remains committed to putting residents first, supporting our dedicated staff, and ensuring local seniors receive the quality care and dignity they deserve.

About the County of Simcoe
The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.