Canada and Ontario take steps to make long-term care homes safer and more secure

News release

Ottawa, Ontario, April 16, 2021— The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are investing over $99.4 million in 95 projects to improve long-term care homes across Ontario.

Details were provided by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Deb Schulte, Federal Minister of Seniors; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care.

Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why both levels of government have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times.

The funding announced today will make important upgrades and improvements to HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and sprinkler systems in long-term care homes across Ontario. All residents of long-term care homes deserve safe, modern spaces, and these investments will improve the safety of these homes for both residents and long-term care workers.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $79.5 million toward these projects, with the Government of Ontario providing over $19.8 million through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

The COVID-19 Resilience Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces, and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Canada’s most vulnerable populations. As we continue to battle this crisis, upgrading ventilation systems to ensure cleaner air in Ontario’s long-term care homes will be critical to the health and safety of residents and the people that care for them. The Government of Canada is investing 80 cents on every dollar invested in these important projects across the province. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The pandemic tragedy in Canada’s long-term care sector highlighted significant gaps that must be met with action by all governments and those working on behalf of seniors. By funding 80 per cent of the cost of renovations to make these long-term care homes safer, we’re helping better protect the Canadians living and working in long-term care.”

The Honourable Deb Schulte, Federal Minister of Seniors

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, investments in the health and wellness of Ontarians are more critical than ever. Supporting air quality and other infrastructure projects in long-term care homes helps to protect our communities, making them stronger, healthier and safer. That is why Ontario is making this investment to protect our health and our economy.”

The Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“Our government is reversing decades of neglect and underfunding by repairing and rebuilding long-term care in Ontario. Today’s investment, in homes across the province, is another part of our government’s plan to ensure our loved ones live in comfort and with the safety, dignity and respect they deserve.”

The Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-term Care

Quick facts

  • To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories. 

  • Through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects

  • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. 

  • Since November of 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.3 billion in over 2,880 infrastructure projects across Ontario through the Investing in Canada Plan.

  • Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.

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Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca

Amber Irwin
Director of Communications
Office of Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care
Amber.Irwin@ontario.ca

Communications Branch Media Line
Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care
Email: MLTC.Media@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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