Cross Country Meeting: Mobilizing Collective Action for Long-Term Care Reform in Canada

This Nov. 9, 2020 webinar was moderated by Globe and Mail columnist André Picard, the author of Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic where RNAO & panellists discussed mobilizing collective action for long-term care reform in Canada.

COVID-19 swept through long-term care homes, taking the lives of more than 5,000 residents in Canada with most deaths happening in Ontario and Quebec. Thousands of families and loved ones are devastated with their loss. Others, including residents and staff, are exhausted, distressed and fearful of what was to come in the second wave. 

RNAO recognizes the need and opportunity to turn tragedy into action, to secure a brighter future for our seniors. This is where we can come together and inspire all jurisdictions to build on the federal government’s Speech from the Throne that includes a commitment to work with provinces and territories to establish national standards for LTC and to take additional action to support people stay in their homes longer. 

Panellists:

• Nathan Stall, staff geriatrician at Sinai Health System;
• Doris Grinspun, RNAO CEO;
• Shirlee Sharkey, President and CEO of SE Health;
• Miranda Ferrier, President and co-founder of the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association and the Canadian Support Workers Association;
• Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions; and
• Laura Tamblyn Watts, President and CEO of CanAge.