A call for help has been issued by people who live with developmental disabilities, along with their families, and the agencies which provide important supports. Over 52,000 people are currently waiting for support services in Ontario and, every year, the list is getting longer. These services are not luxuries – they are lifelines that assist people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their daily activities, enabling them to live and work in their communities while also offering support and respite for their families.

Keith Tansley, Executive Director at Community Living Mississauga warns that the Ontario government must move quickly. “In Peel Region alone, more than 6300 adults who have a developmental disability are on waitlists for critical services and supportive housing,” said Tansley. “For many, this means waiting indefinitely for the services they need to live healthy, supported, and safe lives. It represents lost opportunities for early intervention, essential supports, and community inclusion.”

Systemic change and budget increases are needed to achieve significant waitlist reductions. In the last ten years, a series of studies and reports by a government Select Committee, the Auditor General, and the Ontario Ombudsman have taken a close and critical look at developmental service waitlists. But rather than fix the problem – it’s gotten worse. For instance:

  • This year, the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) found that the system is housing 5% fewer people than it did in 2018, while the waitlist has grown by 55%.
  • The provincial government’s Passport Funding system for community participation supports is also not serving Ontarians well with the FAO discovering the waiting list for full allocation has grown 105% over five years.

The Developmental Services sector is calling on the Ontario Government to act now because 52,000 people with intellectual disabilities are waiting for the opportunity to belong – not to a service system, but to vibrant communities where they can contribute and be valued. Inclusion isn’t optional. Communities thrive only when everyone belongs and contributes.