The NDP is once again calling for the resignation of the Minister of Long Term Care.
It follows the release of a government report that indicates over 75 per cent of deaths in the province due to COVID-19 took place in a long-term care facility.
Leader Andrea Horwath claims minister Merrilee Fullerton ignored front-line workers, families and the government experts in the response to the pandemic.
“The government’s own panel on long-term-care staffing called for urgent action—urgent action—three months ago to put staff in place and to set standards of care in long-term care,” says Horwath. “The Ford government responded by cancelling inspections and changing the law so that they couldn’t be sued for failing to protect seniors in long-term care. The minister either failed to protect seniors or was prevented from doing so. Either way, this minister should resign.”
Fullerton sidestepped questioning at Queen’s Park, saying they are focused on fixing years of mismanagement in the system.
“For 15 years, you had opportunities to shore up long-term care, and you chose not to act,” in a response back to the NDP leader. “Our government has created a stand-alone ministry. We are working with other ministries, working across government, and so much work has been done. The funding has been there, the $540 million, almost three-quarters of a billion dollars. We’ll continue to work on this. Our work isn’t done; it has only just begun, and to repair, rebuild and advance long-term care.”
Attorney General Doug Downey and Government House Leader Paul Calandra later came to the defence of Fullerton.
