Re: Preparing for Ontario’s Aging Population Ontario does not currently have the critical healthcare infrastructure in place to implement emerging treatments

January 22, 2024 The Honourable Sylvia Jones Minister of Health 5th Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3 Re: Preparing for Ontario’s Aging Population Dear Minister Jones, I am pleased to write to you for the first time as the new President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. [...] A lack of preparedness will lead to tremendous and avoidable strain on individuals living with dementia, their caregivers, our health and long-term care systems, and the broader economy, significantly impacting quality of life while costing taxpayers billions of dollars. [...] In alignment with the Ontario Dementia Care Alliance, I am writing on behalf of the OCC and our Health Policy Council to call on your government to prioritize preparedness for the arrival of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease to realize the associated cost savings and improved health outcomes by taking the following actions: 1. [...] Define Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as a public health priority, with a focus on early detection and support for those living with dementia and their caregivers. [...] We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these recommendations further and look forward to continuing to work with you on solutions that support the health of Ontarians and our economy.