Hopewell and other agencies in the Developmental Services sector play an important role in the community care model for folks who have a developmental disability and yet, we continue to be forgotten when the Ontario government prepares its annual budget. Hopewell has participated in the 2024 Pre-Budget consultations.
We haven’t seen a base funding increase since 2018 compared to other similar sectors as noted below:
• 5% increase in the base funding of community-based mental health and addiction service providers.
• Public health agencies increased by approximately 16 per cent between 2018 and 2023.
• All public hospitals across Ontario received a minimum two per cent funding increase for 2023-2024.
We keep people healthy. We keep people safe. We give people a better life. Our work deserves to be respected and recognized as critical work.