COVID-19 Update for March 18 2021 – 3:30PM
Minister Fullerton, Minister Bethlenfalvy announce $933 million investment in long-term care
Ontario is announcing $933 million for the development of over 7,500 new long-term care spaces and 4,000 upgraded long-term care spaces. This investment will go towards the production of 80 new projects across the province, in addition to 120 projects currently underway.
This investment is projected to increase access to LTCs, reduce wait lists and reduce hospital capacity pressures. Ontario now has over 20,000 new and nearly 60,000 upgraded spaces in development, and are committed to creating 30,000 new beds by 2028.
The announcement of 80 new projects is the largest in the history of the long-term care sector. Of these new projects, 18 will serve cultural groups, including five for Indigenous communities and seven for Ontario’s francophone population. Campuses of care will account for 35 of these projects.
Minister Fullerton says this modernized funding model will allow for long-term care to be more responsive to communities’ unique needs. The Province has listed surplus properties for sale with the requirement to build long-term care homes and has launched the Accelerated Build Pilot Program, expecting to add 1,280 long-term care spaces years faster than a traditional development project.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario has directed $1.3 billion to protect long-term care residents and staff, and today’s announcement is in addition to the $1.75 billion already earmarked for the development of new beds over the next 10 years.
Minister Bethlenfalvy concludes with a reminder that the Ontario Budget is being released next Wednesday (March 24), and says the budget will reflect the government’s commitment to protecting the safety of long-term care residents, caregivers and staff.