Following the tabling of the Ontario Government’s 2021-2022 budget, Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson made some “historic” announcements Thursday to improve senior housing and Long Term Care facilities and retirement homes.Long Term Care
First, Thompson announced that Maitland Manor in Goderich is being allocated 69 new spaces and 91 upgraded spaces. The project will result in a 160-bed home through the construction of a new facility.
This news comes just three months after Thompson announced that the Southampton Care Centre has entered the next phase towards a redevelopment project that will add 84 new long-term care beds to the facility.
“I have been advocating for additional spaces in the riding for a long time,” Thompson said. “I am proud to make today’s announcement, which truly is an historic one. The number of people in Huron-Bruce who will need long-term care is expected to rise over the next decade and today’s announcement will help ensure we have safe, modern spaces ready for them.”
Joining Thompson for the announcement were Goderich Mayor John Grace and Southbridge Care Homes CEO Ryan Bell.
The mayor said he was “over the top” excited about the news. “This is phenomenal,” Grace said. “It is great that we have the ministry recognize the need for extra beds in rural Ontario, and if it wasn’t for the leadership of MPP Thompson, who really worked hard for this, today might never have happened. She pushed it over the finish line.”
Bell also welcomed the news. “Modernizing our home and providing more A-class beds will provide a higher quality of life to the people who live there and meet the evolving needs of our aging population,” said Southbridge Care Homes CEO Ryan Bell. “We are proud to work in partnership with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the provincial and municipal governments and keep long-term care beds in local communities, which, in turn, also supports local job creation.”
Thompson also announced Braemar Centre, in Wingham, is being allocated 27 new spaces and 69 upgraded spaces to create a 96-bed home through the construction of a new building.
The announcements were part of Ontario’s $933 million investment in similar projects province wide, on top of the $1.75 billion already earmarked for the delivery of 30,000 new spaces over 10 years.
The actual funding to each home will be known when the homes are completed. Ontario will be using this additional $933 million to provide 80 homes, including those in Huron-Bruce, with a construction funding subsidy, operational funding and specialized funding over the life of the home. The Ministry of Long-Term Care will monitor and work closely with the homes receiving allocations to ensure that costs are managed effectively, and Ontario’s investments deliver on the needs of Huron-Bruce.
RETIREMENT HOMES
Thompson also announced that the provincial government is investing more than $530,000 locally to help the retirement home sector cover COVID-19 related costs such as hiring, training and testing additional staff, and sanitizing residences and purchasing supplies to prevent and contain the spread of infection.
This funding is part of a $30 million province-wide announcement and is in addition to the $30.9 million that the province provided retirement homes earlier in the pandemic.
“In speaking with various CEOs and administrators at senior homes and Long Term Care facilities in the riding, I know this money is greatly needed and will be well used,” said Thompson.
Retirement homes receiving additional funds include:
Anfield Manor (Clinton) $ 20,650
Queensway Retirement Community (Hensall) $24,989
RVilla Retirement Living (Ripley) $29,599
Seaforth Retirement Community $23,633
Sepoy Manor (Lucknow) $21,735
Tiverton Park Manor $28,786
Trillium Court (Kincardine) $31,497
Exeter Villa $32,040
Gilbert Hall Retirement Home (Wingham) $19,023
Goderich Place Retirement Residence $42,616
Hampton Court (Southampton) $23,633
Harbour Hill Retirement Suites (Goderich) $32,853
Kingsway Arms at Elgin Lodge (Port Elgin) $46,684
Malcolm Place Retirement Residence (Kincardine) $26,616
Maple Court Retirement Residence (Walkerton) $29,057
Maplewood Manor (Seaforth) $23,091
Nine Mile Villa Inc. (Lucknow) $20,379
Ontario has more than 770 licensed retirement homes and many are run by small operators who urgently need the government’s support to deal with rising costs related to fighting COVID-19. Ontario’s retirement homes have been working cooperatively with public health officials across the province to ensure best practices are being followed to prevent and control COVID-19 and to help get residents and staff vaccinated.
“Retirement home operators are working tirelessly to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep residents and staff safe,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government’s additional funding will enable retirement homes to purchase more critical supplies like PPE, products to carry out deep cleaning, or to support more on-site testing to help further prevent and contain outbreaks.”
“The safety and protection of the seniors who live in our communities and the staff who provide their care are our number one priority,” said Cathy Hecimovich, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA). “We are grateful to work with a government that recognizes the vital role retirement communities play in Ontario’s continuum of care for seniors. Thank you for your continued support of the retirement community sector as we work together to keep Ontario’s seniors safe.”
