Ontario Moves Forward with Health Care Overhaul Aimed at Transparency, Convenience and Patient Access

TORONTO — The Ontario government is pushing ahead with a renewed legislative effort to modernize and streamline the province’s health care system, reintroducing the More Convenient Care Act, 2025 at Queen’s Park this week.

The proposed legislation outlines a wide range of changes that aim to connect more Ontarians with publicly funded health services closer to home, while enhancing governance, transparency, and system-wide efficiency. The move is part of the Ford government’s broader strategy, Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the legislation builds on recent efforts to reduce wait times and improve service access across the province. “We are continuing to connect people to the right care, in the right place, no matter where they live,” Jones said in a statement. “These bold and innovative actions are about protecting our health care system for the future.”

By taking bold and innovative action with the More Convenient Care Act, our government is continuing to build on our progress as we connect people to the right care, in the right place, no matter where they live.

Learn more: https://t.co/XXtFlFLqpQ pic.twitter.com/yA1W38HrXy

— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) May 5, 2025

Key Measures in the Legislation

Governance and Transparency Reforms:

• The Act introduces a new transparency framework requiring staffing agencies in hospitals, long-term care, and community health sectors to disclose administrative mark-up rates.

• It also aims to strengthen hospital governance by defining best practices and ensuring health providers have the tools needed to deliver high-quality care.

Expanded Access and Patient Care Improvements:

• Ontario plans to modernize its electronic health records (EHR) system, giving eligible residents online access to their personal health information via Health811.

• Nurse practitioners would be authorized to complete and sign mandatory blood testing forms—streamlining care for victims of crimes, correctional officers, paramedics, and health professionals.

• The province will also explore ways to improve mental health and addiction services, and will begin reviewing ambulance vehicle and equipment standards to support paramedic services.

Service Delivery Enhancements:

• The legislation would strengthen the powers of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to ensure consistent application of public health orders across Ontario’s various regional units.

Bolstering the Workforce

The province says 671 registered nurses have now been trained to prescribe medications since the scope of their practice was expanded. In addition, $743 million has been earmarked over three years to grow and stabilize Ontario’s health care workforce.

Support and Reactions

The bill has drawn support from a range of professional associations:

• The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs welcomed the vehicle and equipment review, saying it could lead to safer, more efficient care with lighter gear and more advanced vehicles.

• The Police Association of Ontario backed the inclusion of nurse practitioners in the blood testing process, citing faster response times and improved safety for first responders.

• The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation voiced support for stakeholder consultations on establishing a regulatory framework for addiction counsellors, calling it a “critical step” toward professional accountability.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery Stephen Crawford emphasized that the legislation complements Ontario’s broader modernization goals. “We’re protecting personal information and making health care more connected, transparent, and accessible,” he said.

The bill is now under consideration at Queen’s Park, where debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

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