Mar 27, 2026
HAMILTON ON (March 2026): The Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO) welcomes the provincial government’s commitment to supporting medical lab programs in the 2026 Budget.
The Ontario government is expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to include medical laboratory programs at Canadore College and Confederation College. Eligible students enrolled in Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Laboratory Science programs can apply for financial assistance in exchange for a commitment to work in the communities where they studied for a term of service after graduation.
“The Learn and Stay Grant provides full, upfront funding for tuition, books and other direct educational costs for eligible students enrolled in medical laboratory programs. We thank the government for adding Canadore College and Confederation College to the grant to support training medical laboratory students in Northern Ontario.” - Michelle Hoad, CEO, MLPAO
With approximately 70% of all medical decisions relying on lab results, medical lab professionals play a vital role in the healthcare system. Working behind the scenes, they process and analyze more than 280 million lab tests each year, supporting publicly funded diagnostics and comprehensive care for Ontarians, including cancer screening programs such as mammograms, as well as surgeries and other medical procedures.
As Ontario’s population grows and ages, alongside the expansion of preventative medicine and the emergence of new pathogens, demand for testing continues to rise. According to data from the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario’s 2024 Annual Report, the province faces a shortage of more than 350 Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), with 37% of the workforce nearing retirement. Sustained, targeted investments in education, training, and clinical placements are critical to addressing this labour shortage.
MLPAO remains committed to working with the Government of Ontario and sector partners to strengthen the medical lab workforce to ensure Ontarians receive timely access to tests and results that impact their care.
To recognize these essential professionals, MLPAO invites the public to visit our exhibit, “The Day Tests Stopped,” at the MaRS Discovery District from April 13–17, 2026. Held in celebration of Medical Laboratory Week, the exhibit honours the vital contributions of medical lab professionals whose work is essential to every aspect of patient care. In times of uncertainty – whether due to a new illness, an emerging public health threat, or an urgent clinical issue – lab professionals deliver the timely, accurate results that inform diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
About the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO)
The Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario (MLPAO) is a non-profit health professional organization founded in 1963 with members across the province, advocating on behalf of Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) and Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technicians (MLA/Ts). Combined, Ontario medical laboratory professionals process and interpret 280+ million lab tests annually and are the fourth largest healthcare profession after doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
For more information, please visit: https://www.mlpao.org/ and https://twitter.com/MLPAOnews