Canada’s home and community care workforce is under increasing strain, with national projections indicating a significant risk of workforce shortages extending through 2033. As Canada transitions into a super-aged population, demand for home-based and community care services is expected to rise substantially.
At the same time, workforce instability threatens the continuity and capacity of care delivery. Without sufficient staffing and retention strategies, there is a risk of reduced system efficiency, increased pressure on hospitals, and higher long-term costs to governments and the broader economy.
A stable and well-supported workforce is essential to maintaining care in the community, reducing avoidable hospital use, and supporting caregivers and families who rely on home-based services.
Workforce optimization is therefore critical to ensure health human resources are deployed effectively, retained appropriately, and supported to meet growing national demand. Strengthening home and community care capacity aligns with a “home-first” approach, which prioritizes care delivery outside of acute hospital settings.
Currently, Canada’s investment in home and community care remains limited relative to system needs. A strategic shift toward increased federal and provincial coordination and investment is required to support long-term sustainability and system resilience.
