Ontario cannot wait another week to protect seniors in long-term care

April 15, 2020

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement after the Premier's announcement of an action plan for long-term care homes:

GUELPH, ON — Mike Schreiner released the following statement after the Premier’s announcement of an action plan for long-term care homes:

“Government investment in long-term care homes has been lacking for years, so it is not fair to blame the current government entirely for this heartbreaking situation.

But this government is responsible for how it responds to the COVID-19 crisis today.

While today’s enhanced measures help, the limitations on workplace locations will not take effect for 7 days.

Every day counts when limiting the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives.

I urge the government to use approved contingency funds to help long-term care facilities comply with this directive sooner.

The bottom line is that the government has been slow to react to the 114 outbreaks and counting in Ontario, compared to BC and Quebec, which reacted quicker with expanded testing and emergency orders to limit staff movement.

Ontario cannot wait another week to act.”

-30-