Talks have been stalled since June 29, 2026. This stall is beginning to have ripple effects across the sector, with some employers declining to begin bargaining until the Extendicare Central Table is resolved. Unlike other sectors, health care workers do not have the right to strike in Ontario. Instead, they are subject to the Hospital Labour Relations Dispute Arbitration Act (HLDAA), which imposes interest arbitration when the parties are unable to reach a negotiated agreement. The arbitration awards of previous negotiations are often used as a guiding principle for arbitrators when considering their current cases. This process has created a significant backlog in the long-term care sector, with some employers negotiating agreements that expire before they are signed.