Question Period Note: Reports On Long Term Care Facilities in Ontario & Quebec

Both Ontario and Quebec have submitted requests to the Government of Canada to extend Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support in long term care facilities. The Federal Government is deliberating the extension.

Additionally, Observations concerning conditions within Long-Term Care Facilities (LCTFs) in Ontario and Quebec by the CAFs medical & support personnel, temporarily deployed to support these facilities, were released by the Premier of Ontario on May 25, 2020 and the Premier of Quebec on May 27, 2020.

• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are currently deployed to assist local officials at several long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec to provide a range of humanitarian relief assistance and medical support due to the COVID-19 crisis.

• Both ON and QC have submitted requests to the Government of Canada to extend CAF support in long term care facilities.

• The Government comprehends the scope and complexity of the issues facing our seniors, vulnerable populations and health care workers in the struggle with COVID-19. As such, our Government will continue to work with Ontario and Quebec to address their needs and those of all Canadians in the immediate and long-term. At the same time, we have been reminding provincial colleagues that they are responsible for putting in place a long-term solution.

• The Federal Government is reviewing these requests for extension carefully and with due diligence, and have conducted extensive consultations with federal and provincial partners as well as other key non-government organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross (CRC), to inform a sustainable way forward.

• The Canadian Armed Force’s contributions have had very positive impacts in facilities in both Provinces. We are extremely proud of these contributions and we thank the brave women and men who have helped to stabilize the hardest hit facilities.

• Our Government will continue to work with the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec to address their needs and those of all Canadians in the immediate and long-term.

If Pressed:

• We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the troubling observations raised by military teams concerning long-term care facilities.

• I have referred these matters to my counterparts in Ontario and Quebec as this is a provincial responsibility, and I understand actions are being undertaken.

In the course of their duties, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have observed and documented a number of issues relating to the provision of care of residents of long-term care facilities.

The observations highlight systemic deficiencies in the establishment and management of infection control areas within long-term care facilities; lack of best practices in the use, care and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and enforcement of personal health measures, and high rates of staff absenteeism that have compounded problems in long-term care facilities.

The CAF team have been providing ongoing advice to local officials, and the Government of Canada has communicated these concerns to the relevant authorities within the Province of Ontario. The escalation to the federal level is supported by findings worthy of further investigation and attention of the appropriate authorities for long-term resolution beyond the capacity of the CAF.

At the request of the Governments of Ontario and Quebec, teams of medically-trained Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and operational staff have been temporarily deployed to long-term care facilities identified by the Provinces. The teams provide a range of humanitarian relief assistance and medical support aimed at relieving pressure on the Provinces and allow time for regional officials to reestablish adequate care at these facilities.

Prior to the release of the report to the public, both Provinces had requested an extension of CAF support to their long-term care sectors. Ontario requested this extension on May 24, while Quebec requested this extension on May 26. At present time, CAF confirmed the continued presence of the temporary support in Ontario and Quebec until June 26, 2020.

CAF support to Ontario LTCF has been in effect since April 24. The Province of Ontario originally requested this support on April 22. On May 24, the Ontario Government requested a 30-day extension to CAF support beyond the May 27 end date. On May 28, an extension of CAF support until June 12 was approved. CAF confirmed the continued presence of the temporary support until June 26, 2020.

As of June 10, approximately 275 CAF members are providing support in up to five long-term care facilities in Ontario. As of June 8, CAF has withdrawn from two facilities that have stabilized. As of June 10, 15 CAF members working in LTCF in Ontario have tested positive for COVID-19. One case is active and 14 are resolved.

CAF has been supporting Quebec LTCF since April 17. The Province of Quebec originally requested this support on April 15 and requested additional resources on April 22. The current deployment is scheduled to end June 12. On May 25, the Quebec Government requested an extension to CAF support beyond the June 12 date. The Province has asked that CAF teams be allowed to transfer between LTCF facilities as needed during that period of time. CAF confirmed the continued presence of the temporary support until June 26, 2020. Transitions between facilities will be allowed.

As of June 10, approximately 1300-1400 CAF members are providing direct support to about 15 long-term care facilities in Quebec, and are preparing to deploy into new facilities. CAF has withdrawn from 16 facilities that have stabilized. As of June 10, 36 CAF members working in LTCF in Quebec have tested positive for COVID-19. Nineteen cases are active and 17 are resolved. (51 total – 15 Ontario, 36 Quebec).

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