For immediate release:
April 18, 2007

Ontario Seniors Deserve High-Quality Long-Term Care: Barrett

Toronto—MPP Toby Barrett echoes Opposition Leader John Tory, saying the future of reliable world-class long-term care services for Ontario seniors are at risk as a result of Dalton McGuinty’s broken promises.

“Our society is aging quickly, and it’s important that seniors have peace of mind,” Barrett said.  “But as we saw with the so-called Long-Term Care Homes Act, Premier McGuinty has no intention of keeping his promise to seniors.”

Barrett’s remarks came in the wake of John Tory’s announcement that as Premier, he would upgrade the remaining sub-standard long-term care beds to the highest ‘A’ level standard.  Today, 35,000 Ontarians live in lower standard long-term care beds, meeting design standards from 1972.  John Tory’s plan calls for the elimination of all three and four bed wards, ensuring long-term care residents have the dignity of an en-suite bathroom, wheelchair accessible halls, and the opportunity to sleep, eat and spend time with their families in a comfortable environment with relative privacy and improved dignity.

“John Tory made it clear that long-term care is more than a moral issue – It’s a fundamental issue of fairness,” Barrett said.  “I agree that there is no better legacy we can leave future generations, than to set an example and a foundation of compassion and care.”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446, or 1-800-903-8629