Geographic Differences

As a provincial organization we find it odd that northern municipalities are no longer required to maintain a municipal home (Section 120 states they “may establish and maintain”) while southern municipalities are required to do so.  (Section 117 “shall establish and maintain”). This will have an impact on our members who are providing needed services in these communities and on the wider communities. We believe that there should be one level of quality service for Ontarians regardless of what part of the province they live in.

Conclusion

The sad state of long-term care in our province is of concern to Ontarians. We believe that the provincial Liberal government has an obligation to show leadership in dealing with this situation.

Our members believe that you cannot have quality care without people. To this end a staffing standard is a necessary first step. A necessary second step is for the provincial government to commit itself to the non-profit model for long-term care. Taken together this will ensure that Ontarians will have access in their communities to the kinds of services they need now and in the future. Services provided for them by dedicated, qualified staff who themselves are members of these same communities.

If Bill 140 is not amended by this government to deal with staffing standards and the non-profit model then the state of long-term care in our province will not improve.  We urge the McGunity government to address the issues we have raised in our presentation.  We further urge them to listen to the concerns of Ontarians and act upon them

Thank you for the opportunity of appearing before the Select Committee on Social Policy to share our thoughts regarding the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2006 (Bill 140).

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January 17, 2007