2026–2027 Services delivered: Permanent Compensation Enhancements

Component: provincial initiatives

Legislation: Supporting Retention in Public Service Act, 2022 (“SRPSA”) and Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA)

PCE is a $3/hour wage top-up for eligible Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Direct Support Workers (DSWs) staff. The purpose of PCE is to support workforce retention and stability in the social services sector. In 2020, Ontario introduced pandemic pay and later the Temporary Wage Enhancement (TWE) to support frontline workers. In 2022 TWE became permanent which created the Permanent Compensation Enhancement Program (PCE).

Since 2020, the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) has been reimbursing OPRs for eligible staff hours under the PCE program, through funding received by the ministry. A centralized distribution model was developed as the ministry does not directly fund OPRs. Following a review of the model, the ministry made a decision to change administration of this program. Starting October 1, 2025, the administration of PCE for OPRs will transition to TPRs who will incorporate PCE payments through their existing contracts with OPRs. All OPR per diem rates were adjusted to incorporate eligible PCE costs.

Service objectives

To support the stability and sustainability of Direct Support Workers and Personal Support Workers by providing a permanent hourly wage enhancement to eligible front-line staff delivering publicly funded direct support services in the child welfare sector.

Service description

The transfer payment recipient placing agencies will use this funding to support eligible front-line staff that deliver direct support services to children and youth receiving protection services under the CYFSA, including those in residential care, family-based placements, and community-based supports.

Program/service features

Permanent wage enhancement of $3/hour for eligible Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Direct Support Workers (DSWs).

Applies to:

• DSWs and PSWs providing care in licensed residential settings under the CYFSA.
• Front-line supervisors/team leads who perform direct care duties for at least 50% of their work hours.
• Staff providing respite, interpreter/intervenor services, or other direct supports funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).

Eligible employees have the primary employment responsibility to provide at least one of the following:

• Personal client care to persons with special needs, including developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, medical issues, or behavioral challenges; or
• Caregiver respite; or
• Interpreter or interventor services for persons who are deafblind, or deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing; or
• Direct care to children receiving residential care pursuant to a license issued under Part IX of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.

The provision of personal client care includes:

• Directly assisting clients by providing personal assistance in daily living tasks and personal care (such as feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, managing medication),
• Providing necessary supports required to assist a person [with special needs] to access and participate in community activities, or
• Observing, planning daily living routines, supervising clients, monitoring, and ensuring the personal safety and welfare of individuals.
• In the case of a frontline supervisor or team lead, the employee is required to perform the work described above in this table for at least 50 per cent of their work hours.

Exclusions:

The following workers are not eligible for compensation enhancements:

• Management
• Foster parents, kinship service providers and customary care givers
• Homeshare providers
• Employees whose primary functions relate to case management, maintenance, food service, and administration
• Regulated professionals

Program goals

• Enhance compensation to improve recruitment and retention of skilled staff delivering publicly funded personal support services.
• Promote continuity of care and reduce turnover in high-impact roles.
• Support improved outcomes for children and youth through a stable, supported workforce.

Services will be

• Residential care in licensed child welfare settings (excluding youth justice facilities).
• Support services for children and youth with complex needs.
• Indigenous child and family well-being services where applicable.
• Transitional supports for youth leaving care.

Ministry expectations

Transfer payment recipients are expected to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Permanent Compensation Enhancement (PCE) to ensure that the program’s objectives of improving recruitment, retention, and workforce stability are being met. This must be conducted in alignment with a program and evaluation framework approved by MCCSS.

Reporting requirements

The service and expenditure data will be reported on the Permanent Compensation Enhancement Reconciliation reporting template that will be provided by the ministry.