TORONTO – Ontario is launching an independent commission into the province’s long-term care system. Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton says in a statement that the commission will start in September, and in the meantime the government will be finalizing terms of reference, leadership and timelines.
She says “an independent non-partisan commission is the best way to conduct a thorough and expedited review.” The Ontario Long-Term Care Association, opposition parties and health-care union SEIU have all called for a full public inquiry into the sector.
Nearly 1,400 long-term care residents have died amid COVID-19 outbreaks in the facilities, as well as five staff members. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus