Doly Begum, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Southwest (SSW) has said the Ontario government needs to emphasize the care for older Ontarians and the bill ‘Seniors Advocate Act’ needs to be passed immediately.
She made this remark in the legislature at Queen’s Park on Monday. Dolly said, the care of our seniors can not be about profit and this is something that our government needs to understand.
The seniors’ advocate would advocate for the interests of older adults and their caregivers by independently advising ministers, public officials and individuals as well as organizations that fund or deliver seniors’ services on systemic challenges faced by older adults, policies and practices to address existing systemic challenges, and other matters affecting older Ontarians and their caregivers.
Bill 196 is being introduced against the backdrop of COVID-19 and the devastating circumstances we have seen in Ontario, especially in long-term care facilities. The virus has disproportionately affected older Ontarians, with almost 96 per cent of deaths in Ontario involving people aged 60 and older.
Little is being done to address the long-standing issues in long-term care or to assist older Ontarians.
It’s not just about health, though. A seniors’ advocate would represent the needs of the older Ontarians.
Dolly said This government was extremely slow in their response when our most vulnerable were dying. I’m glad to say that the Act passed its second reading unanimously, but our fight doesn’t stop over here. We now must make sure that Ford calls this bill for a final vote so we can get this legislation proceeded into law as soon as possible. There’s no more time for delay in action when it comes to the care of our seniors, she added.
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