CANDIDATES WEIGH IN ON PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON CARE HOMES

The pandemic has exposed systemic problems within the province's longterm-care sector.

The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table in late April released a report declaring that residents of the province's long-termcare homes had experienced some of the most devastating impacts of the pandemic, including disproportionate deaths, prolonged isolation from family and essential caregivers, and reduced quality of life.

BACKGROUND:

Long-term-care residents accounted for more than 60 per cent of all COVID-19-related deaths in Ontario early in the pandemic, despite residents comprising less than one per cent of the province's older population, according to information provided by the science advisory table.

The report offers several recommendations to improve quality of care in these facilities, including enhanced staffing through the addition of more fulltime positions, adequate staffing levels and better working conditions.

Other priorities include reduced crowding in longterm-care homes and measures to ensure connections among residents, friends, families and essential caregivers.

The advisory group also recommends strengthening infection prevention and control and ensuring timely access to quality palliative care.

WHERE DO THE LOCAL CANDIDATES STAND ON THE ISSUE?

Jill Dunlop, Progressive Conservative

Doug Ford and our PC team are making historic investments in long-term care after inheriting a broken system from the Liberals. In just four years, we're getting it done with more than 31,000 new and over 28,000 upgraded beds in the works. We're also investing nearly $5 billion to hire more than 27,000 longterm-care staff and ensuring residents receive on average four hours of direct care each day.

Krystal Brooks, Green Party of Ontario

The pandemic only highlighted issues within LTC. These issues have existed for many years. Over 95 per cent of seniors want to age at home. The government could save over $1 billion by investing in the resources and services needed to accomplish this but they continue investing in for-profit LTC facilities.

Aaron Cayden Hiltz, Ontario Liberal Party

The Conservative government failed seniors in LTCs. The push for privatization of these facilities meant a lower quality of care for many seniors who lived in for-profit LTCs. We saw significant outbreaks in our areas, nursing shortages and deaths. These facilities were overcrowded and understaffed. Seniors deserved better than to be left alone in their rooms and abandoned by the Ford government.

Elizabeth Van

Ontario NDP

Being frank here, during the pandemic's peak, Ford hoarded federal support funds by doing the bare minimum. Ford and his caucus, including our current MPP, cut inspections, blocked an inquiry into long-term care, and passed a law to protect forprofit long-term-care corporations instead of residents and their devastated families.

Aaron MacDonald, Ontario

Houtte,

Party

During times of uncertainty such as we've experienced over the past two years, we needed to support and care for those who are the most vulnerable. The way families were kept

apart was atrocious. As new evidence arose, lifting of precautions should have followed suit, and families reunited. New Blue Party candidate Mark Douris did not respond to a request for comment.