June 27th Weekly Update

Ontario Expanding Personal Support Worker Training Program in Long-Term Care

The Ontario government is investing $16.5 million to train up to 600 new personal support workers across the province as part of its commitment to ensure long-term care residents receive an average of four hours of hands-on direct care each day by 2025. The Learn and Earn Accelerated Program for Personal Support Workers in Long-Term Care (LEAP LTC) is an online program in partnership with Humber College that accelerates the training of existing long-term care staff, such as resident attendants and dietary aides, to become personal support workers.

First launched in 2022, LEAP LTC consists of full-time online coursework followed by a paid on-site clinical placement at the long-term care home where the participant already works. This makes it possible for people to build their skills without leaving their communities. By providing training, financial and mentorship support to participants, the program helps them overcome geographical and financial barriers that may hinder their career growth.

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This work is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and providing seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.

To help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade. The historic increase in apprenticeship registrations, including a 28 per cent jump among women, follows more than $1 billion in investment in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of a new agency: Skilled Trades Ontario.

“We are taking action across the board by making it easier for students to have apprenticeships, skills and credentials recognized towards their Diploma,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “This builds on Ontario’s recent decision to require all students to take at least one technological education course — opening up the horizons and opportunities of all students into good-paying STEM and skilled careers.”

To reduce the stigma related to the trades and make more students, teachers and parents aware of these life-changing opportunities, Ontario’s skilled trades career fairs for students will be returning for the second year in a row and in more cities. More information on the 2023 fairs, cities, and dates will be announced later this summer.

The Ontario government announced the location of the first new all-season, full-service provincial park in over 40 years.

Located at Bigwind Lake Provincial Park near Bracebridge, the operating park will offer overnight and electrified campgrounds, backcountry camping, and a variety of four-season recreational activities, including cross-country skiing, canoeing and hiking. Once complete, the park is expected to add 250 campground campsites and up to 25 new cabins to the Ontario Parks system.

Bigwind Lake Provincial Park is currently classified as a non-operating provincial park, meaning it offers low-intensity, self-guided recreational opportunities, such as hiking and nature appreciation, but does not have staff, maintained facilities or campsites.

The proposed new operating provincial park will be fully serviced and designed with the visitor experience in mind. Modern buildings and amenities such as a visitor centre, electric vehicle charging stations and electrified campsites will deliver the features that today’s campers and park-users expect. The park design will also consider environmentally sustainable elements, such as low-energy buildings, easy-to-access biking and walking routes, and wildlife-friendly planning and design, so the park remains a vital part of the natural landscape for generations to come.

“Parry Sound–Muskoka is home to some of Ontario’s most popular provincial parks. Today’s announcement reaffirms our government’s commitment to protecting these special places,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and MPP, Parry Sound–Muskoka. “Residents and tourists will soon have access to another truly beautiful and quintessential provincial park. I have full confidence that Bigwind Lake Provincial Park will become a very popular destination for people to take in the splendor of our area.”

Over the coming months, the government will engage Indigenous communities, local municipalities, stakeholders and the public on the proposed new operating park. Individuals also have an opportunity to comment on the park’s design features until August 6. It is anticipated that construction on Bigwind Lake Provincial Park will begin in fall 2024.