Ontario Nurses' Association Calls for Reform as Long-Term Care Profits Surge
Event summary
- 4,400 Ontario Nurses' Association members demand better staffing and wages in long-term care homes.
- Extendicare reported $96 million in profits in 2025, a 28% increase from the previous year.
- CEO Michael Guerriere received $2.6 million in total compensation in 2025.
- Long-term care nurses earn over 10% less than hospital nurses for comparable work.
- Non-profit long-term care homes are closing while for-profit operators expand under current policies.
The big picture
The growing divide between profits and frontline conditions in Ontario's long-term care sector highlights systemic governance challenges. As for-profit operators expand under current policies, the sustainability of the sector's workforce and quality of care are at risk. The situation reflects broader trends in healthcare where public funding often flows to private entities with limited accountability to workers or patients.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Response
- Whether Ontario's government will mandate staffing ratios and fair compensation in long-term care.
- Sector Stability
- The pace at which skilled nurses leave long-term care for better-paying hospital roles.
- Profitability Pressure
- How rising labor costs could impact the profitability of for-profit long-term care operators.