A System of Profound Support

In 2024/25, almost 846,000 Ontarians sought help from our sector. This is a 45% increase in just one year. When demand grows this fast, the system needs to grow with it.

When someone is ready to ask for help, the response shouldn’t be a waitlist. Every day someone waits is a day their condition may worsen, a crisis may emerge, or an emergency department becomes their only option. Nobody wins when help comes too late. Long waits cost people their stability and cost the health system far more.

Budget 2026 is Ontario’s opportunity to build a system of care that’s ready to meet the moment. Our highly skilled, compassionate workforce is already changing lives every day. With predictable funding, competitive compensation, and the right resources, our members can shorten wait times, expand access, and deliver the kind of care that keeps people well – not waiting.

Every day across Ontario, AMHO members help people stay connected to their communities, access housing services which meet their unique needs, and achieve better health outcomes.  

AMHO members know what works. Strengthening Ontario’s continuum of mental health, substance use health, and addictions care will help prevent crises and reduce avoidable pressure on emergency departments and first responders.  

In Budget 2026, Ontario has an opportunity to protect the progress we have made, and scale these solutions to meet the growing demand across the province. With the right investments, we can ensure everyone has access to the mental health, substance use health, and addictions care they need, where and when they need it. To build that system of care, Ontario needs:

These are the building blocks of a stronger, more responsive system. A system that can scale what already works and ensure every community has access to the care it needs.

Budget 2026 is an opportunity for our province to take proven solutions and bring them to more people, in more communities, with better outcomes for everyone.