Health Policy and Research Program - vote 1402

The Health Policy and Research Program integrates health system research evidence, innovation, strategy, and program policy in support of policy and planning priorities across the ministry including health workforce planning and regulatory oversight in Ontario. System-wide planning allows the ministry to: support legislation and policy development; monitor alignment with the strategic directions; select and manage portfolios, strategy and other initiatives within the ministry to further objectives and priorities across the ministry including those in relation to Ontario's health workforce and the regulatory framework that governs Ontario's workforce (regulated health professions and other providers within the system). The work includes targeted investment, administration of funding programs, applied health evidence supports, integrated knowledge translation, oversight and synthesis of health services/population health research, health system innovation, strategic policy and planning relating to the supply, mix, distribution, recruitment, retention, scope of practice and education/training of health providers. The work also includes the Indigenous Health Engagement Fund which is dedicated to improving health outcomes for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous people in Ontario, and includes ongoing support for ministry engagement with Indigenous partners, as well as enhanced life promotion and crisis support services.

Vote summary
Item numberItem

Supplementary estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
1Health Policy and Research$381,895,000$796,879,700$794,309,000$744,770,497
 Total operating expense to be voted$381,895,000$796,879,700$794,309,000$744,770,497
 Total operating expense$381,895,000$796,879,700$794,309,000$744,770,497
Standard account by item and sub-items
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
1402-1Health Policy and Research 
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Clinical Education

$381,895,000
 Total operating expense to be voted$381,895,000
 Total operating expense for Health Policy and Research Program$381,895,000

Population and Public Health Program - vote 1406

The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has a unique and distinct role in protecting the health of Ontarians. The CMOH plays a critical role in leading the public health system as a whole through a statutory role and powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, providing public health advice within and beyond government and raising public health issues that have significant impacts on the health of Ontarians.

The mandate of Population and Public Health is to provide direction and leadership to support the ministry’s public health agenda including Public Health Modernization (in partnership with the Pandemic Response and Public Health Modernization Division) and commitment to improving population health outcomes and ensuring the delivery of quality services through efficient and effective coordination across Ontario’s public health and associated sectors.

The programs and services are aimed at improving health outcomes at all life stages by planning and developing legislation, regulation, standards and performance measures; developing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs that support disease prevention, health protection and healthy living; and leading, engaging and collaborating with our partners at all levels, ensuring effective program delivery, fiscal management, accountability, transparency and fostering a health system that is ready and prepared to respond to incidents and emergencies.

Vote summary
Item numberItem

Supplementary estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
4Population and Public Health$640,000,000$4,547,542,700$1,518,564,000$1,314,843,081
 Total operating expense to be voted$640,000,000$4,547,542,700$1,518,564,000$1,314,843,081
 Total operating expense$640,000,000$4,547,542,700$1,518,564,000$1,314,843,081
Standard account by item and sub-items
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
1406-4Population and Public Health 
 

Services

$138,000,000
 

Transfer payments

 
 

COVID-19 response

$502,000,000
 Total operating expense to be voted$640,000,000
 Total operating expense for Population and Public Health Program$640,000,000

Provincial Programs and Stewardship - vote 1412

This vote includes Provincial Programs, Emergency Health Services and Stewardship. This program is responsible for transfer payment accountability, and operational policy development, including the planning and funding of a wide span of specialized programs. Examples of these transfer payment programs include: Community and Priority Services, Operation of Related Facilities, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Programs, and community Mental Health and Addictions programs. The program provides Ontario's share of funding to the Canadian Blood Services and also supports a blood utilization management strategy for Ontario. This vote also includes ministry-managed Mental Health and Addictions programs which provide implementation support, knowledge exchange and training, quality improvement, and information management in support of direct service mental health and addictions providers.

In addition to transfer payment activities, Provincial Programs and Stewardship also includes Direct Operating Expenditures for health capital planning, the management and delivery of the Transfer Payments within the Vote, and for the oversight administration (stewardship) of the Ontario Health Agency and related programs.

Emergency Health Services (EHS) ensures the existence of a balanced and integrated system of emergency health services throughout Ontario. The ministry is modernizing EHS by building a more updated, integrated and efficient dispatch and communication system that will more effectively meet the needs of communities. The system consists of a series of inter-related programs and services including municipally operated/contracted land ambulance services, the not-for-profit air ambulance organization called Ornge, eight base hospitals that provide medical oversight, and ambulance communications services. Through EHS, the ministry oversees, certifies, and regulates Ontario’s paramedics, and land and air-ambulance services through the Ambulance Act. EHS manages province-wide operations in 11 directly-operated Ambulance Communications Centres (ACCs), provides oversight and transfer payment functions for 11 transfer payment ACCS; and ensures strong operational alignment between all land and air ambulance services providers, healthcare services providers, municipal partners, and First Nations communities.

Vote summary
Item numberItem

Supplementary estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
2Emergency Health Services$26,500,000$1,217,648,000$1,154,143,700$1,091,371,600
 Total operating expense to be voted$26,500,000$1,217,648,000$1,154,143,700$1,091,371,600
 Total operating expense$26,500,000$1,217,648,000$1,154,143,700$1,091,371,600
Standard account by item and sub-items
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1412-2Emergency Health Services  
 

Services

 $20,000,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Payments for ambulance and related emergency services: Municipal ambulance

$4,500,000 
 

Payments for ambulance and related emergency services: other ambulance operations and related emergency services

$1,000,000 
 

Air ambulance

$1,000,000$6,500,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $26,500,000
 Total operating expense for Provincial Programs and Stewardship $26,500,000

Health Services and Programs - vote 1416

The Ministry of Health (the ministry) collaborates with Ontario Health (OH) to implement the health system strategies developed by the ministry. While the ministry provides strategic direction and guidance, Ontario Health is assuming responsibility for planning, integrating and funding Health Service Providers.

OH exercises its authority under the Connecting Care Act, 2019. Additional administrative responsibilities are set out in the Memorandum of Understanding, while operational funding and performance expectations are set out in the Minister's Mandate Letter to OH and the Accountability Agreement between OH and the ministry.

OH manages services in public, private and specialty psychiatric hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres, community support services, community services for persons with acquired brain injury, assisted living services in supportive housing, mental health and addiction agencies.

In addition, through its programs (Cancer and Cancer Screening, Renal, Digital Health, Health Quality, Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Services, Health Workforce Programs, and Regional Coordination Operations Support), Ontario Health is responsible for:

  • Providing back office support to the agencies that manage and deliver home care, including IT, finance, human resources, procurement, and the home care database.
  • Overseeing highly specialized care (for example, cancer, renal, organ donation)
  • Managing provincial population health programs (for example, cancer screening)
  • Clinical and quality standards development for patient care and safety,
  • Patient engagement and patient relations,
  • Championing and supporting the implementation of the ministry’s Digital First for Health strategy to deliver a more modern, integrated and digitally-enabled health system experience for patients ,
  • Supporting health care practitioner recruitment and retention;
  • Planning, coordinating, undertaking and supporting activities related to organ and tissue donation and transplantation
  • Supporting the office of the patient ombudsman in carrying out its functions in accordance with the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010;
  • Supporting or providing supply chain management services to health service providers and related organizations; and
  • Promoting health service integration and Ontario Health Teams to enable appropriate, coordinated and effective health service delivery.

This vote also includes funding for home care programs such as nursing, personal support, therapies and other professional services provided at home, at school or in the community. Home care programs also include palliative services provided at home and in hospice.

Vote summary
Item numberItem

Supplementary estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
1Health Services$1,153,564,500$28,017,729,800$28,086,938,900$25,090,133,541
 Total operating expense to be voted$1,153,564,500$28,017,729,800$28,086,938,900$25,090,133,541
 Total operating expense$1,153,564,500$28,017,729,800$28,086,938,900$25,090,133,541
Standard account by item and sub-items
Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1416-1Health Services  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Operation of hospitals

$959,575,300 
 

Home care

$193,989,200$1,153,564,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $1,153,564,500
 Sub-items:  
 Hospitals  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Operation of hospitals

$959,575,300$959,575,300
 Community  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Home care

$193,989,200$193,989,200
 Total operating expense to be voted $1,153,564,500
 Total operating expense for Health Services and Programs $1,153,564,500
 Total operating expense for Ministry of Health $2,201,959,500