NDP Calls Out Government of Ontario for Shortchanging Physiotherapy 

NDP Shadow Minister of Health MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) released the following statement in response to the Minister of Health’s near frozen budget for the last 13 years, for community physiotherapy services. 

“Access to Physiotherapy is an important part of staying healthy after an injury or surgery. Patients get back to work sooner and rely less on pain killers during recovery. I agree with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association that the Ford government and Health Minister Sylvia Jones are not recognizing the value that physiotherapists add to our health care system.” 

Recent Announcement

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association sounded the alarm on April 15, 2026, regarding the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) Program lack of funding. The Government of Ontario recently notified CPC clinics that there is no increase in patient funding or program capacity for the next two years. Despite a proven track record of saving healthcare dollars, the program has been pushed to a breaking point due to chronic underfunding over the last 13 years.

About the CPC Program 

The CPC Program is a vital health service for patients who qualify, mostly seniors, and those who do not have private insurance. 

Investing in this program is one of the most cost-effective ways to support the provincial healthcare budget. The CPC Program currently delivers extraordinary value: 

• System Savings: Every $1 invested in the CPC Program saves the government $4 in other healthcare costs.  

• Emergency Prevention: The program prevents 70,000 emergency department visits annually.  

• Reduced Strain: It reduces hospital admissions, diagnostic imaging costs, surgeries, and specialist consultations.  

• A single emergency department visit costs $275. The CPC Program’s value is clear, but the government isn’t investing to match it. 

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association calls on the Ford government to think again and provide immediate, sustainable funding to ensure that seniors and vulnerable populations living in Ontario are not left behind.