OAC Response to the 2026 Ontario Budget

The Ontario Association of Cardiologists (OAC) welcomes the government’s continued investments in health care, including the expansion of primary care and significant investments in health infrastructure.

Connecting more Ontarians to primary care is an important step toward improving access to care. As primary care continues to serve as the front door to the health system, ensuring timely access to specialty care, including cardiology services, will be increasingly important to support patients as they move through the system.

Cardiology services play a central role in managing chronic disease, supporting primary care, and preventing avoidable hospital admissions. The majority of this care is delivered in community-based clinics, close to where patients live.

While the 2026 Budget includes important investments in hospitals and primary care, it places less explicit emphasis on outpatient specialty care and diagnostic capacity. Strengthening these areas will be critical to achieving the government’s broader goals of improving access, reducing hospital pressures, and delivering high-quality care.

The OAC looks forward to continuing to work with government and health care system partners to support a connected, sustainable system that meets the needs of cardiac patients across Ontario.

For more information, please contact:
Tim Holman, Executive Director
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca