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QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong (London—Fanshawe) has released a statement after the Ford government refused to immediately pass her legislation, Bill 13, Time to Care Act, to mandate at least 4.1 hours of hands-on care for every long-term care resident:
“It’s been over 100 days since the Time to Care Act was passed at second reading, and five years since the NDP first began fighting for this bill — but once again the Ford government has refused to make it law. They are ignoring the pleas of families, advocates and the Official Opposition NDP who have been pushing for a minimum of four hours of care for every resident. Ford and his PC MPPs showed once again that they will prioritize money and their political friends over the lives of those that live and work in long-term care homes.
We've now lost over 3,800 residents in long-term care. Many of these deaths were avoidable. This is the devasting impact of the decade-long staffing crisis. The current staffing levels are unsustainable. Homes are in crisis and need help now. Families and residents deserve to know that they can depend on getting quality care. Staff deserve to know that they'll have the time and resources to give quality care.
It’s not good enough for the Ford government to say they are working on getting care up to four hours by 2025. Residents need more care right now to keep them safe and protected, with the level of care they deserve. We need to pass this legislation and take real action to increase staffing and increase wages immediately.
If Doug Ford can introduce and pass liability protection legislation for for-profit long-term care homes in the middle of this pandemic, why can't he pass legislation to protect our loved ones in care?”
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