QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPPs Catherine Fife (Waterloo) and Sara Singh (Brampton Centre), deputy leader and critic for Long-term Care, have re-introduced the Til Death Do Us Part Act, which provides couples the right to live together in long-term care as they age. The bill was inspired by couples across the province who have been separated by Ontario's long-term care system.
“It’s heartbreaking to see couples who have been together for decades become separated when they need long-term care,” said Fife. “Couples should be able to live out their final years together. Ford must prioritize helping seniors and pass this bill immediately so that no other couples have to endure the pain of separation.”
The bill passed second reading and was sent to the Justice Committee in December 2019, but was wiped off the order paper when Doug Ford prorogued the house in 2021. The NDP is calling on Ford to ensure swift passage of the bill.
“Ford needs to stop dragging his feet and make this important change to improve the lives of thousands of seniors in Ontario,” said Singh. “The NDP wants to fix our broken long-term care system by ending for-profit care, investing in more staff and ending the long waitlist for a bed. Seniors should be at the centre of our long-term care system, that includes the right to live together as they age.”
The Ontario NDP has released it’s plan to overhaul senior’s care, Aging Ontarians Deserve the Best, which includes making the system not-for-profit, hiring thousands of personal support workers, creating 50,000 new spaces, as well as ensuring that couples have the right to stay together.
NDP reintroduces bill to keep couples together in long-term care
Published on March 7, 2022