‘A devastating blow’: Ottawa Hospital to cut roughly 400 jobs

Posted: April 12, 2026

(April 11, 2026) By: Josh Morano, CTV News

The Ottawa Hospital is planning to cut three per cent of its workforce, affecting roughly 400 positions, as the institution faces growing budget pressure despite a provincial funding increase in the 2026 budget. CTV’s Josh Marano reports that Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, calls the cuts a devastating blow and says Ontario funds its hospitals at the lowest rate per person in Canada by a significant margin. The hospital says it has already taken cost-cutting steps and will work with unions to limit involuntary departures through vacancy management and early retirement options. The hospital currently employs more than 13,000 people including 5,200 nurses. Mehra warns that essential front-line staff including nurses, cleaners and support workers cannot be replaced by administrative efficiencies. Ottawa resident Len Kowalik said wait times for specialists and services are already a concern.

See Natalie Mehra’s comments starting at timestamps 0:20, 0:45 and 1:19 of the video reporting

Click here for the video