The federal government reached an agreement with the province of Ontario to provide $379 million through the Safe Long-Term Care Fund.
Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the province is already formulating a plan for how the money will be spent.
“The province of Ontario is developing an action plan that is setting out exactly how that will be used which includes the hiring of additional and introducing wage top-ups and training, ensuring an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for residents, staff, and visitors, and strengthening infection prevention and control measures,” said Duclos.
Canada’s Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera was on hand for the announcement and shared her experiences volunteering in one of the hardest hit long-term care homes in the province in her home riding of Brampton West.
“I can tell you I’ve seen first hand the critical gaps that the healthcare workers and residents faced every day,” said Khera. “One of the greatest tragedies of this pandemic indeed are the lives lost at long-term care homes throughout our country.”
Khera emphasized Thursday’s announcement is part of the federal government’s broader commitment to improving the lives of seniors.
“Seniors have the right to comfort and dignity no matter where they live,” she said. “And now that we’ve begun recovery from this pandemic we have an opportunity to rebuild a better, stronger system to support ageing adults.”
