Wednesday, October 28, 2020

CLAC Applauds Ontario Government’s Support of Bill 13

The bill received unanimous support from Ontario's MPPs at its second reading

Cambridge, ON—CLAC commends Ontario’s MPPs for their unanimous support at today’s second reading of Bill 13, the Time to Care Act. CLAC also congratulates MPP Teresa Armstrong (London–Fanshawe), the NDP critic for long term care, for introducing the private member’s bill.

“Long term care has been plagued by both a shortage of staff and an inadequate level of funding for hands-on care,” says Ian DeWaard, CLAC Ontario director. “It’s easy to get caught in a ‘chicken or egg’ argument when discerning a solution to the crisis in this sector. But the truth is that we need an immediate fix for both problems—better pay and better work conditions for staff and increased hours of care for residents.”

Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission issued an early interim report last week, calling for a daily minimum of four hours of care. Armstrong’s bill would require that the four hours be based only on hours worked (excluding hours paid but not worked, like vacations and holidays) by workers who provide nursing and personal support services. With that definition, the province would need to add enough funding to increase from the current average of approximately 2.7 hours of care per day.

CLAC is calling on Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton and Premier Doug Ford’s government to act quickly so that this minimum standard can become law and be implemented in the province’s long term care homes.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care recently received the Long-Term Care Staffing Study, which called for a minimum standard of care and improved working conditions for front-line workers. In response, the province has introduced a temporary $3.00 per hour wage enhancement for some workers. CLAC has urged the government to make this solution permanent and that it be extended to all front-line workers in long term care.

CLAC Applauds Ontario Government’s Support of Bill 13

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