May 12th, 2021

Ford must stop failing seniors and allow family caregivers access now: Gretzky

QUEEN’S PARK – Doug Ford must take responsibility for failing seniors who died in long-term care and move now to ensure congregate care residents have meaningful access to their family caregivers, said NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) during question period Wednesday.

“Doug Ford promised an iron ring around long-term care in the first wave of COVID-19, yet more seniors died in the second wave than the first. His iron ring was a myth,” said Gretzky. “At the Village at St. Clair in my riding of Windsor West, hundreds of residents and staff got COVID- almost 40 people died.”

Four thousand long-term care residents died on the Ford government’s watch. The Canadian Armed Forces and Long-Term-Care Commission reports confirm that the Ford government failed long-term-care residents.

“Staff carried the burden of the pandemic on their shoulders, largely alone — ignored by this government,” said Gretzky who cited the following quote from the LTC Commission report: “Staff told the Commission about crying before, during and after work, vomiting in locker rooms from stress, and watching residents they loved die in great numbers.”

“Lives could have been saved if this government stepped up to protect staff and residents,” said Gretzky. “Instead they put a legislative iron ring around private, for-profit corporations and themselves. Will the premier take responsibility for his failure to protect long-term care staff and residents, and implement the Long-Term Care Commission's recommendations immediately?”

The Canadian Armed Forces report revealed 26 seniors died from neglect, simply needing water and a wipe down. Gretzky said the Ford government needs to stop failing seniors who are dying from neglect and pass her bill to allow family members access to help care for them.

“My bill 203, the More Than a Visitor Act passed second reading in September. Will the premier immediately make it law so no resident in congregate care is forced to suffer from neglect or isolation like this again?”

Gretzky said congregate care homes continue to refuse residents access to their designated caregivers.