Commentary: Minding the Gap - Why Wage Parity Is Crucial for the Care of Older Canadians.

Abstract

Zagrodney and colleagues (2023) have highlighted the pay differences that exist between those working in the home and community care (HCC) sector and other healthcare sectors. The authors argue that achieving wage parity could significantly mitigate the current HCC human resource crisis, support the overall sustainability of Ontario's healthcare system and improve patient outcomes. We build on their argument by highlighting issues that have contributed to wage disparities within healthcare systems and discuss how addressing them can create more equitable systems for both those receiving and those providing care. We further note how other healthcare systems that have wage parity have demonstrated that it is not a "nice to have" but an essential element of establishing a sustainable health human resources strategy. Finally, the new 10-year bilateral healthcare funding agreements that the federal, provincial and territorial governments are currently announcing will not only provide significant new funding but also an opportunity to decisively address the long-standing issue of wage parity in Canada, once and for all.