NIAGARA FALLS – MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls riding), Official Opposition critic for Long-Term Care (LTC) issued the following statement, in response to news that Ford is continuing to tinker around the edges of LTC inspections, instead of taking bold action to fix a system that he helped break:
“Ontarians don’t trust this government to fix the challenges we face in long-term care. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of seniors lost their lives and Conservatives have rewarded bad actors instead of holding them accountable.
The real solutions that will truly help improve standards in LTC are an increase in the investment and support for exhausted LTC workers. Ensuring fair, decent working conditions for LTC workers will bring us closer to finally providing a minimum of 4 hours of care a day and ensuring the health and safety of all LTC residents.
Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP are committed to investment, accountability, and moving away from a for-profit model that has hurt so many in this province. It’s a failed system and we need bold action to ensure those in long-term care are protected and receive the care and dignity they deserve.”
Background
- Under Ford’s watch, the LTC inspection system collapsed during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ombudsman report revealed that no inspections occurred between March to May 2020.
- Ford has had a similarly bad track record at holding bad actors in LTC to account. In 2020, he passed Bill 218, which protected bad actors in LTC from liability