Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton has responded to criticism from NDP leader Andrea Horwath that was highlighted in a news story published by Sudbury.com on Tuesday.
In that report, Horwath slammed the Ford government for not extending the time mandate of the Ontario Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission.
Horwath was critical because the commission members had requested a time extension from the current deadline of April 2021 to December of 2021. The commission members expressed their concern in a letter to the government back on Dec. 9, 2020.
In her response, Fullerton said when the commission was established, it was with the understanding the government would provide answers in a timely manner.
“Our government established the Commission recognizing that residents, families, and staff need answers quickly. As Ontario deals with the second wave of COVID-19, the need for timely and focused advice is even more critical. That is why we have asked the Commissioners to remain focused on completing their report by April 30," Fullerton stated in an email to Sudbury.com.
Fullerton went on to say her government would provide the commission members with the documents they need to complete their work. She said so far, more than 60,000 documents have been provided to the commission in recent weeks.
"We have been taking aggressive and decisive action to deal with COVID-19, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable,” Fullerton continued.
The commission was launched on July 29, 2020 and since that time, government ministries and agencies have conducted 22 briefings with the commission, said the response from Fullerton's office.
