Canadian Forces Depart Ontario LTC Homes

The Canadian Forces are leaving Ontario’s Long Term Care (LTC) Homes. “Operation Laser” deployed troops to eight LTC homes to help battle COVID-19 in late April

“We owe our brave men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the military families who support them, a debt of gratitude for their service to our province during this crisis,” Premier Doug Ford said. Soldiers were deployed in order to help with staffing levels, infection prevention, and food prevention.

In May, the Canadian Forces issued a report detailing allegations of mistreatment, and poor management at six different LTC homes. The province has implemented the following recommendations in response:

• Each home identified at that time as high-risk has been inspected or has an inspection underway.
• Inspections at all the Canadian Armed Forces-supported homes have been completed and have since been expanded with inspectors remaining onsite.
• Temporary management has been appointed at Altamont Care Community, Camilla Care Community, Orchard Villa, Extendicare Guildwood, River Glen Haven, Downsview Long Term Care, Woodbridge Vista Care Community, Forest Heights and Hawthorne Place Care Centre.
• Each home identified as high-risk has been required to submit a plan to the ministry that details how they are improving care standards.

Canadian Forces have been deployed to Ontario since April 30, 2020. “The Canadian Armed Forces have been tremendous partners in helping support some of the most vulnerable Ontarians during this unprecedented time,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has pledged to begin a non-partisan inquiry into Ontario’s Long-Term Care system later this month. As of yesterday only 44 homes are considered in an outbreak.