Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2020-05-12 13:34
I confess that I was disappointed by this morning’s announcement on support for seniors. I had been hoping for much more, because I hear from many seniors.
I’m going to focus my question for the minister on the issue of seniors homes. Some that are being run by not-for-profit societies are actually running very well, certainly in my community, but they are facing increased costs that could bankrupt them. As yet, there’s no program to help a well-run seniors home that is not experiencing a loss of revenue and has lots of staff working hard. These homes have increased costs for wages and increased costs for PPE and nowhere to look for help.
Is there help coming?
Hon. Patty Hajdu (Thunder Bay—Superior North)
2020-05-12 13:35
I offer my gratitude to the many people who are working in these long-term care facilities day and night to keep seniors safe.
The member certainly highlighted that there are not only additional expenses for some of the not-for-profit seniors homes, but also additional new measures that will increase all kinds of things, including costs.
We continue to work with the provinces and territories and support them through, for example, generous transfers of money to boost their health care systems in ways that they think are most appropriate. We continue to have conversations at the health ministers’ table on how we can support them.