November 12th, 2020

Shaw: Ford has failed to protect the lives of Hamilton’s seniors in long-term care

HAMILTON – MPP Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas), the NDP’s finance critic, says Doug Ford’s failure to protect seniors from the second wave of COVID-19 has left long-term care residents exposed and vulnerable to this deadly virus that’s spreading once again in homes across Ontario.

The outbreak at Willowgrove long-term care home in Ancaster, owned by for-profit corporation Chartwell Retirement Residences, has infected 33 residents and 20 staff members so far with COVID-19, and has already led to the avoidable deaths of five Ontarians.

“The ongoing tragedy we are witnessing at Willowgrove, and in long-term care homes across the province, is claiming the lives of seniors who were promised they would be protected during the second wave of the pandemic. More Ontarians are dying, and more families must endure the devastating pain and grief of losing a parent or grandparent,” said Shaw.

Shaw says Doug Ford had the chance this summer to recruit more personal support workers (PSWs) and to invest in our long-term care homes to keep residents safe during the second wave. Quebec put a plan in place to hire 10,000 PSWs after the first wave of COVID-19 in preparation for the second wave. British Columbia hired 7,000 for the second wave.

“We knew the second wave was coming, but Doug Ford refused to spend the money that was needed to save lives. Now Ford is telling seniors, their families, and long-term care staff — the heroes still there, working night and day — that they’re on their own in the battle against COVID-19. Long-term care homes are still chronically understaffed and underfunded, leaving seniors without the support and protection they were promised,” said Shaw.

“Ford’s 2020 budget released week doesn’t contain a single cent for more staffing to offer the four hours of care for every resident that the NDP has been fighting for alongside advocates, workers and families. In fact, compared to the government’s March fiscal plan, Ford has cut nearly $100 million in long-term care funding.”

The NDP has set out a plan for a new, public and non-profit home care and long-term care system that provides better living, better care, and more peace of mind for families. That will include a minimum of four hours of dedicated support for every resident, and finally ensuring that every dollar goes into caring for seniors, not to corporate profits.

Shaw says more action and more funding is urgently needed from the Ford government to control these deadly and avoidable outbreaks.

“Lives are being lost every day in our long-term care homes. Ford has thrown in the towel in the fight against COVID-19 because he doesn’t want to spend the money. The NDP has not given up on our seniors who deserve to be protected in the weeks and months ahead. We need action right now before more lives are lost and more families have to experience the shattering grief of losing their loved ones.”