OPA 2026 Vision: The Future of Physiotherapy in Ontario

As we move into 2026, we share an extraordinary degree of optimism for the physiotherapy profession. We believe it will be recognized and valued even more for the impact we have on function, health, and well-being.

Physiotherapy helps people across their lifespan, wherever they access health care in the system.   

Our mission at OPA is clear. We are here to Support our members through advocacy, professional development, and career support. We Influence and shape decisions that affect the profession. We Empower our members to provide the utmost in safe and high-quality care to all people and communities we serve.   

As your provincial professional association, we recognize both the honour and the importance of representing your voice. Working with the Ontario government and key decision-makers, we represent you on the issues that matter most to you. Our focus is on the policies, funding decisions, and structures that affect your work every day and your patients.   

As we head into the New Year, we are set on achieving progress in the following areas:   

A Thriving Workforce and Practice Settings  
Our priorities include:  

• Continuing our efforts to advance scope implementation  

• Supporting the development and appropriate funding of physiotherapists in first contact primary care roles 

• Advancing the Community Physiotherapy Clinic program in 2026 with a focus on program awareness, expansion and appropriate compensation  

• Refining our 2026 OPA Fee Guideline with sector-specific information  

• Working with FRSA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario) and the Ministry of Finance to make long-overdue compensation changes 

Health System Transformation 

We are supporting physiotherapists and their teams by: 

• Promoting interprofessional team-based care 

• Advancing physiotherapists’ participation in health system transformation with a focus on Home and Community Care and Long-Term Care 

• Making it easier to deliver informed patient care by gaining access to provincial digital assets (Diagnostic Imaging Repository, OLIS – Ontario Laboratories Information Systems)  

Our Membership 

We are most successful with your involvement and partnership. This is why OPA listens to and engages students, new graduates, PTAs, and physiotherapists throughout their careers. Our volunteers on committees, district executives and our Board of Directors make sure our work is relevant and positively impactful. We couldn’t do this without you.   

Transparent and Inclusive 

The processes and supports we develop matter. We continue to make them more accessible, inclusive, and transparent. We celebrate our wins, share progress with our members regularly and invite you to participate at any time.  

As we move into 2026 and our bold initiatives, reflecting on the successes of 2025 provides us with confidence and a roadmap for moving forward.  Thank you for your support and confidence in us – together, we can accomplish so much more!  

Sincerely,

Sarah Hutchison, CEO & Courtney Bean, President