The Ontario government is investing over $30 million to train 800 new nurses and personal support workers across the province, including those in northwestern Ontario.
Ontario has announced a $34 million investment over four years to increase enrollment in nursing and PSW programs at six Indigenous institutes, including funding for Seven Generations Education Institute – which operates campuses in Kenora, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances.
"As a former nurse with experience working in northern communities, I know that Indigenous people have faced barriers to accessing effective and culturally safe health, mental health and addictions care,” said Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford.
The remaining Indigenous institutes include the Anishinabek Educational Institute, First Nations Technical Institute, Kenjgewin Teg, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win, the Wenjack Education Institute and Six Nations Polytechnic.
“Events like the pandemic and confirmation of graves at Indian Residential School sites have greatly increased the demand for these services. By increasing enrolment in nursing and PSW programs at Indigenous Institutes, we will help ensure culturally appropriate supports continue to be available in the future,” adds Rickford.
The province says the new funding will help to support schools with providing culturally responsive education and training pathways for learners to prepare for careers as registered nurses, registered practical nurses or PSWs.
Ontario says the training will support roughly 340 practical nurses, 60 registered nurses and 400 PSWs over four years, with subsidies for tuition, textbooks, childcare and costs related to education.
"Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is improving staffing and care. This investment will support training for hundreds of PSW and nursing students at six Indigenous Institutes so they can deliver the high-quality care residents need and deserve,” says Minister of Long-Term Care, Paul Calandra.
In Ontario, personal support workers, as well as home and community support workers, all made an average of $20 per hour, and since 2018, enrollment at Indigenous institutes has increased by 43 per cent.
“By expanding enrollment in PSW and nursing programs at Indigenous Institutes, our government is ensuring learners continue to have access to culturally relevant, high-calibre education, training and supports,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities.
“Providing additional pathways to health care education close to home will also result in more nurses and PSWs who are training, working and staying in their communities.”
The province announced a similar nursing and personal support worker training program through Confederation College in January, with a $10.6 million investment to train 500 PSWs, home support workers and medical laboratory students in the region.