Feds seek public input on proposed long-term care safety legislation
Global News
The office of Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos would not say when the government plans to table the legislation, but it could be as early as this fall.
The federal government is seeking public input on planned legislation to improve safety in long-term care following the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Liberals promised during the 2021 election campaign to table a Safe Long-Term Care Act, after widespread COVID-19 outbreaks drew attention to the struggle of many homes to provide basic care to residents.
The proposed law is also a condition of the supply-and-confidence deal with the NDP, in which New Democrats agreed to support the Liberals on key House of Commons votes until 2025 in exchange for movement on shared priorities.
The office of Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos would not say when the government plans to table the legislation, but it could be as early as this fall.
The NDP said the Liberals have been slow to act. Health critic Don Davies said for-profit care homes had among the worst outcomes in the country.
“This is because they were more concerned with profit margins than the quality-of-care seniors received or the working conditions of their employees,” Davies said in a written statement.
“Worse, these deplorable conditions were long-standing and well-known even before COVID.”
Earlier this year, two panels of experts in the field of long-term care released new standards for improving health, safety and infection prevention in care homes.