Friday, May 9, 2025 CLAC Commends Ontario Government's Commitment to Seniors and Caregivers CLAC welcomes Ontario’s $114 million investment and new legislation enhancing dementia care, resident protections, and caregiver support in long term care, while urging broader reforms for retirement, homecare, and care worker conditions News Cambridge, ON—CLAC supports the Ontario government's introduction of the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025, and its substantial investment of $114 million aimed at enhancing the quality of life for seniors and their caregivers. Through this initiative, Minister Kusendova-Bashta, Minister Jones, and Minister Cho are focusing significantly on dementia care, mandating that all long term care homes implement organized dementia care programs. Additionally, the act strengthens protections for long term care residents against abuse and neglect and enhances the province’s ability to investigate and prosecute offences under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. “This announcement is an important step forward for seniors and those who care for them,” says Ian DeWaard, CLAC Ontario director. “The government’s commitment to expanding dementia care and protecting residents from abuse reflects a real and necessary investment in the safety and dignity of long term care.” CLAC recognizes the critical importance of these measures in addressing the growing challenges within long term care facilities, particularly the increasing incidents of violence. By implementing structured dementia care programs and bolstering resident protections, the government is taking essential steps to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and staff. Furthermore, CLAC appreciates the government's efforts to attract and retain personal support workers (PSWs) through various incentives, acknowledging the vital role these professionals play in delivering quality care to seniors. However, CLAC continues to advocate for further changes to support workers in the retirement home, homecare, and long term care sectors. In our 2025 prebudget submission, CLAC recommended that the government take action to expand WSIB to workers in the residential care sector, provide better violence training, expand the permanent wage enhancement to all workers in long term care, and stop treating homecare workers as gig workers. These recommendations are not addressed in the new legislation but are essential to attract and retain skilled healthcare workers, ensuring the highest standard of care for Ontario's seniors. “While today’s announcement addresses several urgent priorities, there is more work to be done for the thousands of caregivers working in the retirement, homecare, and long term care sectors,” says DeWaard. “Caregivers in these sectors need to be properly compensated, trained, and protected to attract and retain the skills and personnel needed to provide critical care for Ontario seniors.” CLAC remains committed to collaborating with the Ontario government to support initiatives that improve the retirement, homecare, and long term care sectors and enhance the lives of seniors and their caregivers across the province. You might be interested in RVilla Caledonia Retirement Living Employees Unanimously Ratify New Contract 15 May 2025 Using Technology to Further the Cause of Progressive Trade Unionism 15 May 2025 Haebler Construction Employees Unanimously Ratify New Collective Agreement 14 May 2025 Valley Mechanical Employees Unanimously Ratify New Three-Year Contract 14 May 2025