GATES: Hundreds more deaths in LTC show Conservatives have learned nothing from COVID-19

NIAGARA FALLS – MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls riding), Official Opposition critic for Long-Term Care (LTC), released the following statement in response to alarming new COVID-19 rates in LTC homes that have led to 260 deaths in four months:

“These deaths are heartbreaking to see, and it seems like the Conservatives have learned nothing from the past four, difficult years. Every person we lose is a tragedy, and they leave behind loved ones who mourn them.

The Conservatives have spent years dismantling safeguards for LTC residents and dropping the ball on COVID-19 protections to benefit private operators who make big donations to the Conservative Party. Now, their choice to underpay and undervalue PSW and LTC nurses is causing a massive staffing crisis, forcing long term care homes to overspend millions on agency workers.

We have the tools to make LTC homes safe and we know that valuing PSWs and LTC nurses is a huge part of ensuring every resident receives the four hours of care they deserve. We owe it to our parents, grandparents, and friends in LTC to take the private profits out of care and finally make things better.”

Background

• In September 2023, the Ombudsman released a damning report on the Conservatives’ handling of COVID-19 in LTC, which led to preventable deaths
• The Conservatives forced through legislation to protect private LTC operators from consequences related to their negligence
• Ford has passed the LTC file like a hot potato, shuffling through four LTC ministers in just over four years
• The Ontario Ombudsman reported that from beginning of the pandemic to April 2022, 4,335 long-term care residents and 13 staff members died from COVID-19.