Reports On Long Term Care Facilities In Ontario & Quebec
Date: May 27, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: GOC
Issue: Observations concerning conditions within Long-Term Care Facilities (LCTFs) in Ontario by the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) medical & support personnel temporarily deployed to support these facilities were released by the Premier of Ontario on May 25, 2020. A report of CAF’s observations of the conditions in Quebec’s LTCFs has been shared with the Province of Québec and has since been made public.
Proposed Response:
- Our Government is deeply saddened and disappointed by the troubling observations raised by military teams concerning long-term care facilities in Ontario. We remain committed to helping the Provinces as they endeavor to improve the conditions in these long-term care facilities.
- Since late April, members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist local officials at several critical long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec to temporarily provide a range of humanitarian relief assistance and medical support.
- The Canadian Armed Force’s contributions have had very positive impacts in facilities in both Provinces. We are extremely proud of these contributions and we thank the brave women and men who have helped to stabilize the hardest hit facilities.
- I have referred these matters to my counterparts in the PT as this is a provincial responsibility, and I understand actions are being undertaken.
- Our Government will continue to work with the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec to address their needs and those of all Canadians in the immediate and long-term.
- If prompted : On May 26, CAF’s observations on the conditions of the twenty-five long-term care facilities in the Province of Quebec were shared with the Minister of Public Safety for Quebec. As with the observations of the conditions in the five LCTFs in Ontario, the Federal Government does not intend to release the report any further. Provincial officials should be contacted for further information.
Background:
In the course of their duties, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have observed and documented a number of issues relating to the provision of care of residents of long-term care facilities.
The observations highlight systemic deficiencies in the establishment and management of infection control areas within long-term care facilities; lack of best practices in the use, care and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and enforcement of personal health measures, and high rates of staff absenteeism that have compounded problems in long-term care facilities.
The CAF team have been providing ongoing advice to local officials, and the Government of Canada has communicated these concerns to the relevant authorities within the Province of Ontario. The escalation to the federal level is supported by findings worthy of further investigation and attention of the appropriate authorities for long-term resolution beyond the capacity of the CAF.
At the request of the Governments of Ontario and Quebec, teams of medically-trained Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and operational staff have been temporarily deployed to long-term care facilities identified by the Provinces to provide a range of humanitarian relief assistance and medical support aimed at relieving pressure on the Provinces and allow time for regional officials to reestablish adequate care at these facilities.
Prior to the release of the report to the public, both Provinces had requested an extension of CAF support to their long-term care sectors. Ontario requested this extension on May 24, while Quebec requested this extension on May 26. These outstanding requests would extend deployment beyond current dates. The requests are being evaluated for feasibility and effectiveness in relation to concerns for the health and safety of CAF and Canadian Red Cross personnel serving in the long-term care facilities.
CAF support to Ontario LTCF has been in effect since April 24. The Province of Ontario originally requested this support on April 22. The current deployment is scheduled to end May 27. On May 24, the Ontario Government requested a 30-day extension to CAF support beyond the May 27 date. At present time, a decision on this extension has not been made, however an extension of CAF support until June 12, at least, is anticipated. As of May 26, 285 CAF members are providing direct support to five long-term care facilities in Ontario. CAF withdrew from one facility on May 25 as that facility had stabilized. As of May 26, fifteen CAF members working in LTCF in Ontario have tested positive for COVID-19 (39 total – 15 Ontario, 24 Quebec).
CAF has been supporting Quebec LTCF since April 17. The Province of Quebec originally requested this support on April 15 and requested additional resources on April 22. The current deployment is scheduled to end June 12. On May 25, the Quebec Government requested a 30-day extension to CAF support beyond the June 12 date. The Province has asked that CAF teams be allowed to transfer between LTCF facilities as needed during that period of time. At present time, a decision on this extension has not been made. As of May 26, 1,504 CAF members are providing direct support to 24 long-term care facilities in Quebec. CAF has withdrawn from five facilities which have stabilized. CAF will not transfer to new sites after May 26.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Karen Foss, Director, Operations Division GOC, 613-991-7081/613-299-9435
Approved by: Patrick Tanguy, Assistant Deputy Minister, Emergency Management & Programs Branch
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