September 14th, 2017

Ontario’s New Democrats pass motion to find and fix systemic issues in long term care

Today, Ontario’s New Democrats passed a critical motion to broaden the inquiry into the long-term care homes system to include understaffing, underfunding and other systemic issues.

The motion passed despite opposition from the Wynne Liberal government. Now, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she'll be focused on getting action, so seniors and their families aren't disappointed again. 

“Seniors and their families continue to experience resident-on-resident violence and staff shortages in long-term care,” said Horwath. “It’s time to do something about this. We have a chance – with an expanded inquiry – to find and fix what’s broken in seniors care in Ontario.”

Before the vote on the motion, Horwath and NDP Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Affairs critic Teresa Armstrong hosted dozens of people from across the province with loved ones in care. They called on the Wynne Liberals to pass the NDP motion, expand the public inquiry into long-term care homes and get to the bottom of poor and all too often dangerous conditions.

'The people who came to Queen’s Park today each have a story about how our system is failing their loved ones,” said Armstrong. “Together, we got some movement -- but we’re not going to stop here. The Wynne government must expand the long-term care inquiry immediately — our seniors and their families cannot afford to wait any longer.”

Horwath and Armstrong, joined by families around the province, are calling for a two-phase inquiry into long-term care. The first phase would look specifically at the Wettlaufer murders, the second would consider systemic issues like quality of care, funding and staffing levels. 

“No one should have to live without basic dignity,” said Horwath. “It’s time to get to the bottom of the problems in seniors’ care – and do something about it. I know that we can take care of our parents and grandparents so much better than we do today.”