NDP bill to keep elderly couples together in long term care moves closer to law
QUEEN’S PARK – Catherine Fife, NDP MPP for Waterloo, released the following statement after her Till Death Do Us Part Act passed second reading and moves one step closer to ensuring senior couples have the right to remain together in long-term care homes:
“Too often, couples entering long-term care are torn apart, or choose to delay vital care for themselves instead of enduring a brutal separation from their partner. It’s devastating for the couple and causes anguish for their loved ones who watch helplessly from afar. It’s simple – our grandparents and parents deserve to live their final days with the person they love.
Passing the Till Death Do Us Part Act has extra urgency now that Doug Ford’s Bill 7 is forcing people to go to long-term care homes that they didn’t choose. Right now, couples are at even greater risk of being separated and remaining separated for the rest of their lives. My bill will ensure that couples have the right to remain with their chosen partner.
With this momentum today, I will keep pushing for change in our long-term care system. We need to prioritize investing in creating long-term care spaces and finally end the long wait lists. We need to ensure care is there when our parents and grandparents are ready for it.
As this bill gets closer to law, I am proud to stand with the Ontario NDP and ensure that couples no longer have to endure a devastating separation just to access care and support in their old age.”