TORONTO — The Ontario government is building a brand new long-term care home for Extendicare Kapuskasing and adding 68 new and 60 upgraded beds. This is part of the government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province. Ontario will now have 33 long-term care projects in development across the province where services for Francophone residents will be provided.
“Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe, and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This home is an example of the action our government is taking to support the Francophone community with care that is tailored to their cultural and linguistic needs. When this new building in Kapuskasing is completed, 128 residents will have a new place to call home, near their family and friends.”
The new building for Extendicare Kapuskasing will have 68 new and 60 upgraded long-term care beds. The home has proposed to offer 32 designated beds for Francophone residents. The home will provide services for mental health, behavioural support and palliative care to all residents. Extendicare Kapuskasing has community partnerships within the cultural, education and health sectors which helps ensure residents have access to the care they need, and will continue to offer cultural, linguistic and religious services for Francophones. The home is expected to start construction in summer 2023 and be ready to welcome 128 residents in spring 2025.
Ontario plans to invest an additional $300,000, beginning in 2022-23, to help make long-term care services and programs more accessible to Francophone residents. This includes $250,000 to the Regional Translation Network Program (a program under the French Language Services Office), and $25,000 to both the Ontario Association of Resident Councils (OARC) and Family Councils Ontario (FCO). The funding will support the development of educational sessions and materials in French for programs and services.
The government has a plan to fix long-term care and to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. The plan is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors.