Ontario Continues to Expand Nursing Workforce
June 19, 2025
Up to $500,000 investment will accelerate nursing education at Western University
NEWS
LONDON — The Ontario government is investing up to $500,000 to support the launch of an accelerated registered nursing (RN) degree program at Western University to allow students to complete their undergraduate program within three to three-and-a-half years, instead of four years, enabling nurses to enter the workforce sooner.
“This is great news for London and for the future of health care in Ontario,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “By accelerating nursing education at leading institutions like Western University, we’re taking real action to get more skilled professionals into the system faster, and that means better care for families in every corner of the province.”
Conestoga College (Kitchener), St. Lawrence College (Kingston), Western University (London) and York University (Toronto) will each receive up to $500,000 to support the development and implementation of the accelerated nursing program, beginning in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years.
“By investing in education and accelerating training for nurses, our government is protecting Ontario and building on our progress to grow our nursing workforce for years to come,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These investments will help ensure families can connect to the care they need no matter where they live, while also supporting the next generation of health-care professionals.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to take bold and decisive action to grow the province’s highly skilled health care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care closer to home for generations to come.
QUICK FACTS
- The government is investing $56.8 million over the next three years to support an enrolment increase of nursing spaces at publicly assisted colleges and universities by over 2,200 registered and registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners. In addition, this funding will support continued investments in innovative, flexible, online nursing pathways.
- Since 2018, Ontario has seen a record-breaking number of new health care professionals join the workforce, adding nearly 100,000 new nurses with another 30,000 nurses currently studying at Ontario colleges and universities.
- Ontario is investing $743 million over three years to continue to address immediate health care staffing needs, as well as to grow the workforce for years to come.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Bradshaw
Office of Rob Flack, MPP
emily.bradshaw@pc.ola.org