Marc Serré, MP
In the midst of this pandemic, it is an unfortunate reality that long-term care facility populations across Canada have been severely affected by COVID-19. Many vulnerable Canadians in some circumstances have been put at risk by living in long-term care (LTC). It begs the question of what could have been done to better prepare our long-term care system to manage these circumstances and does the federal government have a role to play in supporting the provinces?
Long-term care facilities are pillars in our community offering medical support, enriching activities and a sense of home for residents which are primarily seniors. Services and programs are designed to enhance the quality of life and safety of residents while offering peace of mind to their families and loved ones.
Although LTC facilities are provincially regulated, the evidence is clearer than ever that a broad-stroke multi-level approach may be needed to support these facilities. This may enable the focus to be better directed to what matters most – the people. For instance, the security of residents, better working conditions and improved salaries for workers and further expanding of programs and services.
As a strong advocate for seniors’ issues, I’ve worked with the Greater Sudbury Seniors Advisory Group and engaged with many other local seniors’ groups to ensure their voices are brought to the table in Ottawa.
My motion M-106 passed in the House of Commons. It calls on the government to create a National Senior Strategy, the first of its kind, paving the way for the creation of the first national ministry dedicated to seniors. This led to the reinstatement of the National Seniors Council and recent appointment of Dr. Kevin McCormick as a committee member; a dedicated community leader and seniors advocate.
Our government increased the Guaranteed Income Supplement by up to almost $1,000 annually for single seniors with the lowest incomes and also set a quarterly indexation.
These measures improved financial security to 900,000 seniors across Canada. We’ve also restored the age of eligibility for Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement from 67 to 65 and have to date seen annual increases to the New Horizons for Seniors program funding which many local organizations benefit from.
Seniors have given so much to our society and we continue to strive to offer support that is beneficial to our aging Canadian population.
Our government also recognizes the exceptional, and often grueling, work that personal support workers and other support staff in long-term care homes do on a daily basis. That’s why we’re offering to top up the salaries of staff making less than $2,500 monthly during COVID-19 to ensure they are properly compensated for their dedicated and essential work.
Political stripes aside, when we emerge from this pandemic, we will have many questions to answer and new opportunities to better prepare ourselves and respond to the needs of communities and citizens of all ages. As our population continues to age with statistics stating that by 2030 seniors will number over 9.5 million and make up 23 percent of Canadians, we will see a further increase in need for quality long-term care services.
I’d like to acknowledge the difficult reality faced by many residents living in isolation in long- term care and how heart wrenching it is for their families. It is undoubtedly difficult to not be able to visit your family members and friends.
Media reports paint a bleak picture about COVID-19 and its devastating impacts on long-term care homes. Recognizing the need to act, Canadian health officials are working diligently and enacting many new measures. Recently the Public Health Agency of Canada released evidence-informed guidelines to help residents, seniors and health care workers in long-term care homes remain safe and healthy.
The “Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19: Interim Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes” was published in an effort to prevent and control health care-associated infections and save lives.
As your MP I will continue to defend and advocate for the needs of seniors and will bring your concerns forward to the Seniors Caucus and to Parliament. History has proven that collaborative efforts often equate to successful outcomes.
If all levels of government come to the table we can learn from today to ensure a better tomorrow.
Marc Serré is the Liberal MP for Nickel Belt.
