NDP reveals PC Party donor and private operator was appointed by Doug Ford to oversee long-term care homes

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP critic for Ethics and Accountability Taras Natyshak (Essex) revealed Tuesday that PC Party donor James Schlegel, CEO of Schlegel Villages Inc., a private, for profit long-term care chain, is a leading member of the government’s Incident Management System (IMS) Long-Term Care Table.

“James Schlegel has donated upwards of $50,000 to the PC Party since 2007. This includes a donation of $20,000 to the Minister of Health’s leadership bid. Does the Premier think it is appropriate for one of his most generous party donor with a stake in private, for profit long-term care to have this role?,” said Natyshak during question period.

The IMS table, which Mr. Schlegel sits on, is making key decisions about staffing, management and resources for Ontario’s long-term care homes during COVID-19, and only last week Doug Ford extended the mandate of this group. The IMS table is also responsible for compiling the list of high-risk “red zone” long-term care homes that Doug Ford is still keeping secret from the families of loved ones.

“The IMS table is responsible for overseeing long-term care homes including the ones that Mr. Schlegel owns and operates. Why has the Premier made space at the table for a prominent PC donor who owns some of the very homes he makes decisions about?,” said Natyshak.

Mr. Schlegel’s firm Schlegel Village owns 19 long-term facilities in the province, including three with COVID-19 outbreaks where 46 residents have died.