Ontario Association of Optometrists calls on government at Queen’s Park to expand access to care and reduce ER pressure

Toronto, ON, March 31, 2026 – Yesterday, the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) brought members from across the province to Queen’s Park to deliver a clear message to provincial decision-makers: optometrists can immediately reduce pressure on emergency rooms, improve patient access, and strengthen community-based care across Ontario.

Despite being underfunded and underutilized, optometrists are already delivering frontline care in communities across the province and are ready to do more. As the government charts the path forward, Ontario’s optometrists stand ready to be part of the solution.

Over the course of the day, OAO representatives held more than 18 meetings with elected officials and senior political staff across all parties, reinforcing that optometrist funding has not been updated in over 30 years. Discussions focused on how optometrists can expand access to care, reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, and strengthen care delivery at the community level.

The OAO’s delegation included optometrists from communities across Ontario—from Northern Ontario to the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Windsor, and Niagara—who shared firsthand perspectives on how outdated healthcare policy is limiting patient access and system efficiency.

“Ontarians deserve a healthcare system that works for them,” said OAO CEO Mark Donnison. “Every day, optometrists are managing complex eye conditions in their communities. It’s care that often keeps patients out of emergency rooms. But outdated funding and policy are holding the system back. With the right support, optometrists can immediately expand access to care and relieve pressure across the system.”

With the potential to divert up to 200,000 cases away from emergency departments each year, optometrists represent a practical, ready-made solution to some of the system’s most pressing challenges.

The day concluded with a reception in the Parliamentary Dining Room, attended by MPPs from all parties, where elected officials expressed strong interest in OAO’s recommendations and the role optometry can play in improving healthcare access.

The OAO is calling for a $94 million investment over three years to modernize vision care policy—an investment expected to generate $135 million in system savings by reducing avoidable emergency room visits and improving access to primary eye care.

This work represents a critical step toward ensuring Ontario’s healthcare system fully utilizes optometrists’ expertise—improving patient access, strengthening community care, and delivering sustainable system-wide savings.

About the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO)

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is the largest and most trusted professional association for optometrists in Ontario, representing over 2,100 optometrists for more than 100 years. OAO is dedicated to promoting eye health, advocating for the profession, and supporting its members through leadership, education, and strategic advocacy. For more information, visit www.optom.on.ca.