Federal government signs $221-million agreement with Quebec for long-term care homes
The federal government has signed an agreement with Quebec to provide $221 million in funding for long-term care homes in the province to address "gaps in infection control" and staffing issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement about the Safe Long-Term Care Fund in Montreal-North Monday morning alongside the MP for Bourassa, Emmanuel Dubourg, and MP Patricia Lattanzio from Saint-Leonard-Saint-Michel.
"We've seen in this particular area of Montreal, and in my own riding, we've seen how damaging the pandemic has been to our seniors in long-term care homes and that was true before the pandemic as well," Duclos said. The funding will help with training for infection prevention control and for use of personal protective equipment, the minister said.
"This is not only for seniors to live safely, but also health-care workers as well."
While this marks a significant investment in Quebec, no one from the province was present for the announcement in Montreal.
When asked by the media, Duclos said he had invited Health Minister Christian Dubé, but he "does not control" his agenda, adding that he is in regular contact with the minister on a number of files.
Canada had set aside $1 billion in the fall economic statement back in 2020 to help the provinces and territories beef up their prevention control measures in long-term care homes. Ontario was granted $379 in SLTCF funding last April.
The health minister said "it took time for the good agreement" to be reached with Quebec for the investment.
The funding announcement comes one month after a scathing assessment from Quebec's coroner following an inquiry of long-term care homes in the early days of the pandemic. Coroner Géhane Kamel's described some of Quebec's CHSLDs as "deplorable" over how residents were treated and died in the first wave.
Through public hearings, it was revealed there were inadequate staff, poor infection control policies, families being banned from seeing their loved ones for several days amid the outbreak. Residents were also known to malnourished for days at a time in care homes that have been described as "war zones."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.