May 26th, 2020
Hon. Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park.
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A1
Re: Open Letter To Premier Ford Regarding Need For Public Inquiry Into Long Term Care Homes
Dear Premier,
As Toronto’s Seniors Advocate, I am following up on my letter dated May 19th urging you to call a full Public Inquiry into the COVID-19 response in our long term care homes. While the recommendations tabled from the recent Inquiry into long term care homes are paramount to improving safety and security of residents in our homes, they do not consider lessons from a pandemic that had yet to occur.
Like all Ontarians, I know you were saddened and horrified by the Canadian Armed Forces report released today regarding the deplorable conditions found in long term care homes. Reused syringes, restricted access to protective equipment, administering expired medication, and failure to quarantine residents infected with COVID-19 were just some of the deeply disturbing revelations contained in the report.
It is unthinkable that some of the most vulnerable members of our communities could be subjected to such horrific conditions. The residents, their family members, and long term care workers deserve the additional investigative tools, resources and transparency provided by a full Public Inquiry.
Sincerely,
Councillor Josh Matlow
City Councillor
Toronto – St. Paul’s
www.joshmatlow.ca
