Ontario 2016 Budget
February 26, 2016
An agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Government of Ontario's principal advisor on cancer care, Cancer Care Ontario welcomes the investments in cancer services and cancer control in the 2016 Budget.
It is critical that we continue to strengthen our work in prevention to slow the rise in new cancer cases. This includes reducing smoking in Ontario. Increasing tobacco taxes, and using the revenues to support tobacco cessation programs will result in reduced smoking rates and fewer cancers. Equally important is the need to provide high-quality care for those with cancer and we appreciate this government's commitment to meeting the need for cancer care services. This includes investing in highly specialized areas such as stem cell transplant, an evolving area of clinical care that is resource intensive and requires specialized facilities. The investments in residential hospices and palliative care will help ensure that every person living in Ontario, when faced with a life threatening illness, can receive optimal symptom management and be supported with dignity and respect. We share the Government's commitment to redesigning our drug programs so that they are sustainable to ensure that Ontario cancer patients have access to effective cancer drugs.