Federal Budget Released - Implications for Occupational Therapists

On Monday, April 19, 2021, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, introduced the Federal Budget 2021 - "A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience".  The budget defines the government's commitments to finish the fight against COVID-19 with a goal to achieve an economic recovery that creates jobs and growth for Canadians.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

The budget continues to focus primarily on management of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the economy. Supports to vaccination and ending the spread of the virus are paramount and will be welcomed by occupational therapists who are amongst the many on the frontline addressing Ontarians’ health during the pandemic.

OTs will wish to ensure our voice is heard in the development of long-term care standards that complements the work that Ontario is undertaking to address staffing and quality of service delivery in long-term care homes in the province.
Similarly, we will wish to see an OT voice at tables directing the Palliative Care strategy.

While details of the Aging at Home Strategy are vague and appear focused on community agency supports, OTs have insights and expertise to bring to the development of strategy to support safe, dignified aging at home 

View OSOT's Summary of Key Budget Commitments of Interest to Occupational Therapists.