HAMILTON – In question period Thursday, MPP Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain) called on the Ford government to provide funding for more long-term care beds at Macassa Lodge, as the Ford government refuses to support the proposed 64-bed expansion and the planned upgrade to 44 beds. She released the following statement:
“Families in Hamilton deserve high quality, not-for-profit long-term care homes that meet their needs. Expanding Macassa Lodge would allow more seniors and families get the care they need, right here on the Mountain.
It’s so frustrating for families in Hamilton Mountain to see Ford prioritize for-profit long-term care companies while refusing to fund the expansion of Macassa Lodge. Ontarians are tired of seeing public money line the pockets of large long-term care corporations. They’re tired of their loved one’s receiving substandard care because of corporate cost-cutting and understaffing.
Macassa Lodge is in dire need of provincial funding to add more, high quality long-term care beds to care for seniors and others in our community. Hamiltonians and all Ontarians deserve a long-term care system that puts care before profits. Ford must be responsive to the Hamilton Mountain community’s needs and fund Macassa’s expansion today.”
The City of Hamilton is aiming to expand Macassa Lodge by adding a 64-bed wing. The Ford government refuses to fund this plan, and is instead providing only 20 per cent of the cost for 20 new beds. There are currently 1,850 people are waiting to get into long-term-care homes in Hamilton, 411 of whom are on the “crisis” waitlist.
Attachment: Question Period video clip