Dear Constituents,
This edition of the Weekly Update contains information about:
- Ontario’s newest provincial health strategy: Your Health: A Plan for Convenient and Connected Care
- The 193 new long-term care inspection staff hired by Ontario which will ensure every long-term care resident receives the care they deserve
- How you can renew and set up reminders to keep your Ontario government-issued documents, permits, and cards up-to-date
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Ontario Reducing Wait Times for Publicly Funded Surgeries and Diagnostics
Last Tuesday, the Ontario government introduced the Your Health Act, 2023, which outlines the province’s next steps in its plan to reduce wait times for surgeries, procedures and diagnostic imaging, while enabling its new “As of Right” rules to automatically recognize the credentials of health care workers registered in other provinces and territories.
“With the Your Health Act, Ontario is boldly breaking with a status quo that has stifled innovation and struggled to respond to growing challenges and changing needs,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Instead, our government is being bold, innovative and creative. We’re making it easier and faster for people to connect to convenient care closer to home, including and especially the surgeries they need to maintain a high quality of life.”
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Based on feedback from frontline partners, the Your Health Act, 2023 will, if passed, enhance guardrails to integrate community surgical and diagnostic centres into the health system, enhance quality standards and oversight while protecting the stability of doctors, nurses and other health-care workers in public hospitals and other health-care settings. The legislation will also, if passed, put into law that people will always access insured services at community surgical and diagnostic centres with their OHIP card and never their credit card, consistent with the Canada Health Act.
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Ontario Doubles the Number of Long-Term Care Inspectors
The Ontario government has hired 193 new long-term care inspection staff, including 156 new inspectors. Supported by an investment of $72.3 million, these new hires double the number of inspectors in the field completing on-site inspections and responding to complaints more quickly, to ensure every resident experiences the quality of care they deserve.
“These additional inspectors will help strengthen what is already Canada’s toughest inspection and enforcement regime,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “By delivering on our commitment to double the number of inspectors in the field, Ontario now has the highest inspector-to-home ratio in the country, surpassing our goal of having one inspector for every two homes in the province.”
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Ontario is on track to build nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds by 2028 to address wait lists and connect seniors with the care they need, including supports and social activities. As more seniors connect to care in long-term care homes, doubling the number of inspectors will help the province continue to ensure residents live with dignity in a safe, compassionate environment.
Doubling the number of long-term care inspectors is part of a wider suite of changes the government put in place in December 2021 to strengthen its enforcement capabilities. This work is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors. This includes adding strong, new compliance and enforcement tools, such as the ability for inspectors to issue monetary penalties for non-compliance and expanding the grounds under which the ministry would require a temporary manager be brought in to assist with the operation of a home, such as when there are concerns about the health, safety or welfare of residents.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future.
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| Keep your Ontario documents up-to-date – renew or sign up for reminders online today!
It’s important to keep documents like your licence plate, driver’s licence, health card, Ontario Photo Card, and Accessible Parking Permit up to date to ensure seamless access to critical services and avoid fines or penalties.
Our government has made it easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before to keep your important documents valid. You can renew online in minutes at Ontario.ca/Renew, right from the comfort of your home. These services also are available in person at ServiceOntario locations. Ontarians can book ahead at Ontario.ca/Appointment to make their visit quick and hassle-free. Eligible Ontarians who may find it difficult to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book virtual appointments to have their health cards renewed through live video calls.
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ServiceOntario offers free reminders so that you never miss a renewal. You can sign up to receive reminders by email, text, or phone call letting you know when it’s time to renew. Signing up is simple and fast by visiting Ontario.ca/Reminders. These digital reminders are available for licence plates, health cards, driver’s licences, and Ontario Photo Cards, while reminders for Accessible Parking Permits are mailed.
For help, please call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or TTY 1-800-268-7095
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| My constituency office is open Monday to Friday from 10AM to 4PM. If you have any questions or concerns we’re readily available to assist you. You can also reach us by phone at (416) 781-2395 or by email at robin.martin@pc.ola.org. |
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Warmest Wishes,
 Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence
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