NDP wants investigation into death of Vaughan senior, calls for Sienna homes takeover

QUEEN’S PARK — The NDP is calling on the Ford government to forward all information and documentation on the Woodbridge Vista Care Community to York regional police, so it can consider an investigation into the death of a senior at the Sienna-operated Woodbridge Vista Care Community in Vaughan.

According to a heartbreaking story reported by CBC, Pietro Bruccoleri died in the Woodbridge Vista Care Community of exhaustion, caused by malnutrition, in a sweltering hot room. He did not have COVID-19. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has called for the government to take over management of all Sienna-operated homes in the province following yet another necessary intervention by the Canadian Armed Forces at this home.

“The cause of Mr. Bruccoleri’s death, caused by horrific neglect, should not just be chalked up to tragedy — especially not with what we know about the awful conditions in the for-profit Sienna-owned homes,” said Teresa Armstrong, NDP critic for Long-Term Care. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Mr. Bruccoleri’s family — we can’t imagine the anguish they’re feeling right now. A death from neglect, malnutrition, exhaustion is an avoidable death, and we believe it warrants investigation.”

The NDP has called for an independent judicial public inquiry, in addition to this suggestion that Sienna’s actions should be forwarded for police investigation.