Kingston Community Health Centres feels effects of low compensation increases, advocates for staff

A new report highlights the growing wage gap between Ontario’s community health care workers and health
workers in other sectors. Despite the rising cost of living and a competitive health care job market, staff in the
community health sector have seen an average actual salary increase of only 1.53% in 2023 (with some roles
projecting a 0% increase). The effects of this gap, and ensuing staffing crisis, are being felt across the
province, including in our region at Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), a local non-profit
organization which employs approximately 250 people.

KCHC is a member of the Alliance for Healthier Communities, one of ten Ontario community health
organizations that jointly commissioned a report showing the drastic difference in salary increases between the
community health sector (as described above), and those in other sectors, for example, the 11% increase
awarded to hospital nurses and the 8% increase for emergency medical services.

Research based on a survey of more than 1,300 community health agencies reveals that 94% of respondents
identify compensation as the single most significant challenge for recruitment and retention.

Michael Bell, KCHC’s Chief Executive Officer: “We are hearing more and more that our staff members are
having to look for second or third jobs in order to pay their bills, and we’ve seen a number of staff members
leave our organization in order to secure better-paying work. This is heartbreaking, not only because we lose
valued and respected colleagues, but this also has an impact on the communities we serve, who come to know
and rely on the compassionate and skilled staff members they see regularly at all of our sites.”

The community sector is more than $2 billion behind on wages, compared to their peers doing similar work.
This is despite the fact that community health care requires a specialized skillset due to highly complex
patients often facing multiple severe and chronic conditions, often 24/7 service delivery responsibilities and
obligations, and limited resources.

KCHC is a complex and unique organization, and while this report speaks to many programs and positions, the
same concerns permeate all its programs and services, and every one of its staff members. KCHC is
committed to advocating for all of its staff members: not only those outlined in this report.
KCHC serves a large and diverse population, offering specialized care and support for (to name a few):
newcomers, young children, pregnant people, youth, people who use drugs, those with limited financial
resources, transgender people, and seniors.

Catherine Isaacs, President, KCHC Board of Directors: “Our staff consistently go above and beyond to

offer support to our clients and patients, which is one of the reasons most of our programs run at or over-
capacity at all times. When we cannot afford to compensate our staff fairly, we risk losing incredible people who are offering life-saving and life-changing care and support to people in our community. This is unacceptable to us, and we call on the Ontario government to act quickly and decisively to close this gap and secure the stability of Ontario's health care system.”

The community health workforce encompasses a range of essential health care roles, including nurses in
primary care, addiction and social workers in mental health organizations, and personal support workers in
home and community care, long-term care among others. These workers ensure patients can receive the right
care in the right place and help to reduce the burden on acute care settings, such as hospitals and emergency
departments.

While the government has committed to strengthening the community health sector, the growing wage gap
threatens the system's ability to deliver the community services Ontarians need, including primary care, home
care, mental health and addictions care, and long-term care.

Without action, the foundation of our health care system is at risk, with the potential to see diminished access
to essential services in the community, increased strain on already overburdened hospitals and emergency
departments, elevated health care costs, and care that is too hard and slow to access for millions of individuals
and their families.

The community health workforce remains steadfast in their commitment to support the wellbeing of Ontarians,
but in light of the rising cost of living, a sustainable approach to addressing the wage gap is critical to ensure
the continued delivery of safe and high-quality community health services. The sector is ready to work
collaboratively with the government to address this urgent concern.

Michael Bell: “We are committed to continued advocacy on behalf of our staff to ensure the government takes
action so we can continue to provide the high quality of care and support we are known for.”