Ontario Doubles the Number of Long-Term Care Inspectors
156 new inspectors helping keep long-term care residents safe
February 24, 2023
Long-Term Care
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OSHAWA — The Ontario government has hired 193 new long-term care inspection staff, including 156 new inspectors. Supported by an investment of $72.3 million, these new hires double the number of inspectors in the field completing on-site inspections and responding to complaints more quickly, to ensure every resident experiences the quality of care they deserve.
“These additional inspectors will help strengthen what is already Canada’s toughest inspection and enforcement regime,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “By delivering on our commitment to double the number of inspectors in the field, Ontario now has the highest inspector-to-home ratio in the country, surpassing our goal of having one inspector for every two homes in the province.”
Ontario is on track to build nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds by 2028 to address wait lists and connect seniors with the care they need, including supports and social activities. As more seniors connect to care in long-term care homes, doubling the number of inspectors will help the province continue to ensure residents live with dignity in a safe, compassionate environment.
Doubling the number of long-term care inspectors is part of a wider suite of changes the government put in place in December 2021 to strengthen its enforcement capabilities. This includes adding strong, new compliance and enforcement tools, such as the ability for inspectors to issue monetary penalties for non-compliance and expanding the grounds under which the ministry would require a temporary manager be brought in to assist with the operation of a home, such as when there are concerns about the health, safety or welfare of residents.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This work is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors.
Quick Facts
- The Ministry of Long-Term Care responds quickly to urgent complaints about long-term care homes — in some cases, on the same day. For non-urgent complaints, contacting a home directly is often the best and fastest way to address a problem. Learn more about the ministry’s long-term care home complaint process here.
- Ontario is a leading province in terms of inspector per long-term care home ratio in Canada, with one inspector for every two homes in the province.
- Through a $6.4 billion investment, Ontario now has 31,705 new and 28,648 upgraded beds in development across the province. This will help increase overall bed capacity, address long-term care waitlists and hallway health care, and provide our seniors the care they deserve.
- The province has also made a $4.9 billion commitment over four years to increase the average daily direct care time provided by nurses and personal support workers to four hours per resident by March 31, 2025. This also includes increasing the system average direct care provided by allied health professionals to 36 minutes per resident, per day by March 31, 2023. As part of this commitment, the Ontario government is providing $673 million to long-term care homes in 2022-23 to hire and retain thousands of long-term care staff across the province.
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