Nursing home/Long-Term Care across Canada varies in terms of terminology and cost factors. Long-term care is regulated & monthly rates are determined, by each province’s Ministry of Health. Every province sets its own rates when they are increased and by how much, and what subsidies are available for those below the income level of the minimum accommodation rates.
Please note: this article was updated in December 2020 and while every effort was made to find up-to-date information, the rates contained below may not be exact; some provinces have increased their rates since the documentation we located was published.
We encourage you to use these rates as a guide only and consult either the home you are interested in or, your own Ministry of Health office/Health Authority/Local Health Integration Network, to find out the most up-to-date rates for nursing home/long-term care in your province.
Ontario Long-Term Care Costs
The following table shows resident co-payment rates effective July 1, 2019. The co-payment rates change from time to time (at a minimum, annually). For the most up-to-date rates, contact the staff at your Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION |
CO-PAYMENT DAILY AMOUNT |
CO-PAYMENT MONTHLY AMOUNT |
Basic or standard accommodation (Depending on when the home was constructed or renovated the price varies) |
$62.18 |
$1,891.31 |
Semi-private room |
$74.96 |
$2,280.04 |
Private room |
$88.82 |
$2,701.61 |
SHORT-STAY PROGRAM |
$40.24 |
N/A |
*Optional services (e.g. cable TV or hairdressing), can be purchased for an additional fee.
If you don't have enough income to pay for the basic room, you may be eligible for a subsidy through the Long-Term Care Home Rate Reduction Program.
Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-help-paying-long-term-care#section-0
British Columbia Long-Term Care Costs
Government-Subsidized Nursing Homes (Residential Facilities) - Subsidized nursing home clients pay a daily fee, up to 80% of their after-tax income. Rates are adjusted annually based on the consumer price index.
As of 2020 the monthly rate is:
Minimum Client Rate |
$1,189.70/month |
Maximum Client Rate |
$3,444.60/month |
Manitoba Long-Term Care Costs
Long-term care (called Personal Care Homes in Manitoba) costs depend on a client’s after-tax income and marital status. To calculate your daily rate based on your income visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/pcs/calculator.html
Rate range effective August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021
Minimum Client Rate |
$39.40/day/person |
Maximum Client Rate |
$95.20/day/person |
Source: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/pcs/docs/rate_table2021.pdf
Alberta Long-Term Care Costs
Rates are effective from October 1, 2020
Room Type |
Daily Rate |
Average Monthly Rate |
Standard |
$57.30/day |
$1,743.00 |
Semi-Private |
$60.30/day |
$1,834.00 |
Private |
$69.70/day |
$2,120.00 |
Source: https://www.alberta.ca/continuing-care-accommodation-charges.aspx
Saskatchewan Long-Term Care Costs
In Saskatchewan, long-term care is provided in Special Care Homes. The cost residents pay is based on their reported income (indicated on line 150 of your Tax Return). Personal assets are not included in this determination. Rates are adjusted annually.
As of July 1, 2020, examples of resident charges at various income levels are:
Monthly Income |
Monthly Resident Charge |
$ 1,579 |
$1,152 (minimum) |
$ 2,000 |
$1,394 |
$ 2,500 |
$1,681 |
$ 3,500 |
$2,256 |
$ 4,548 |
$2,859 (maximum) |
Quebec Long-Term Care Costs
Fees are set on the 1st of January of every year by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. 2020 pricing for public facilities is as follows:
Type of Accommodation |
Maximum Monthly Cost |
Wards (3 beds or more) |
$1,211.70 |
Semi-Private Room |
$1,626.30 |
Private Room |
$1,946.70 |
The above prices are maximum rates. For a person who cannot afford these rates, the amount of the contribution is determined on the basis of the person’s ability to pay (income, possessions, savings, and family situation).
Source: https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/aid-programs/accommodation-a-public-facility
Newfoundland & Labrador Long-Term Care Costs
The monthly cost that a resident pays in a Nursing home is determined by the Department of Health and Community Services. The maximum someone can be charged to live in a nursing home is $2,990.00/month. If based on a financial assessment by the Regional Health Authority, the individual is unable to pay the full rate, subsidies are available.
Source: https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/faq/nhltfaq/
Nova Scotia Long-Term Care Costs
Rates Effective November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021
The Standard Accommodation Charge for Nursing Homes is $108.25/day. The rate for a Residential Care Facility is $64.25/day. (Residential Care is a lighter level of care than nursing home care – it is for those who are not at a nursing home level but for whom, home care in their own home does not provide enough care). The Daily Respite Rate is $40.50/day.
Source: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/ccs/FactSheets/Long_Term_Care_Rate_Schedule.pdf
New Brunswick Long-Term Care Costs
Fees for nursing homes in New Brunswick are set by The Department of Health. How much an individual pays (for room and board) depends on one’s family income to a maximum of $113.00/day (effective April 2014). On average the monthly cost would be in the range of $3.437.
Prince Edward Island Long-Term Care Costs
Rate as of October 2019 = $92.19/day (for subsidize residents in private care homes). Other rates may apply depending on the type of room and the resident’s financial situation. For those with a net annual income less than $36,000 subsidies may be available through the Long-Term Care Subsidization Program.
Northwest Territories Long-Term Care Costs
The (co-payment) cost to residents for Long Term Care room in NWT effective June 1, 2020 is $844.00/month.
Nunavut Long-Term Care Costs
There are no fees for residents of nursing homes. The government fully subsidizes the costs for Nunavut residents who require long-term care.
________________________
If you are looking for assistance locating a home or resources for your loved one, you can reach out to our consulting team at consulting@seniorcareaccess.com or visit our consulting page for more information. Our Discover 3 program offers decision-makers and seniors, an opportunity to have a professional consultant identify 3 housing solutions based on their needs. If you need more information on care options for seniors, retirement community, or long-term care visiting tips and/or if you are interested in organizing your loved one’s information using our Care Planning Workbook, visit our publications page for a list of options and downloads.
For additional questions, feel free to contact us at connect@seniorcareaccess.com.
SeniorCareAccess.com is Canada’s largest unbiased seniors’ housing database, offering consulting services, and both seniors’ service and housing directories for professionals, seniors, and their families.