Health
The Ministry of Health is Ontario's provincial department responsible for administering and regulating the province's healthcare system. It manages hospital operations, physician services, public health, emergency medical services, laboratories, and health insurance through OHIP. The ministry also oversees prescription drug programs and works with federal, municipal, and Indigenous partners to maintain health services and improve public health.
Department Spending
In Financial Year 2023-24,
$82.9B
was spent by Health
In Financial Year 2023-24,
40.1%
of Ontario provincial spending was by Health
The Ontario Ministry of Health spent $82.9B in fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, representing 40.1% of the $206.6B in total provincial spending. This represented the largest single area of provincial expenditure. Health spending now represents 37.6 percent of Ontario's total program expenses.
Compared to 2022 to 2023, the ministry's budget increased by 5.14 billion dollars or 6.9 percent. This growth was driven by higher hospital funding, mental health investments, and long term care enhancements.
Health sector funding relies on both provincial revenues and federal transfers. In 2023 to 2024, about 27.4 percent of health funding came from federal sources, mainly through the Canada Health Transfer. Planned future annual increases in provincial health spending are expected to be about 3.0 percent, slightly below projected population growth and inflation combined.
Agencies and Programs
The ministry operates through several major agencies:
- Ontario Health coordinates and integrates system-wide services including hospital care, mental health services, long term care, and home care.
- Public Health Ontario provides laboratory services, conducts health research, and supports public health responses.
- Ornge delivers air ambulance and critical care transport services across Ontario, especially in remote areas.
- Other affiliated entities such as Ontario Telemedicine Network and Health Quality Ontario also operate under Ontario Health.
The Ministry of Health operates Ontario's comprehensive healthcare system including hospital funding, physician services through OHIP, public health programs, mental health and addictions services, long-term care oversight, cancer treatment, home care services, and digital health initiatives.
Leadership
The Ministry of Health is led by the Minister of Health, a senior cabinet member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Premier. The minister is accountable to the Legislative Assembly and serves at the discretion of the Premier.
Major agencies within the ministry are also governed by boards and executive leadership:
- Ontario Health is led by a President and Chief Executive Officer and a Board of Directors who report directly to the Minister of Health.
- Public Health Ontario operates under a board governance structure with its own executive leadership team.
- Ornge follows a crown agency model with a board that reports through the ministry.
The Ministry of Health plays a central role in Ontario's public service delivery. It oversees the most significant share of program spending and directs policy and operational decisions that affect hospitals, clinics, long term care, and public health infrastructure across the province.
