Niagara Falls MPP says province shouldn't extend license for Pickering nursing home that had high death rate during the pandemic
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates is asking the province not to extend the license for a nursing home in Pickering.
Gates, who is the NDP's critic on long term care, says Orchard Villa Retirement Community has a dire track record when it comes to caring for its residents.
He points to a report that written after Canadian Armed Forces personnel were called in to provide emergency assistance in April 2020.
"There's a class action lawsuit that was brought for by family members who have lost loved ones in this facility. Eighty residents had died, some from dehydration. So to grant this company a 30 year renewal makes absolutely no sense."
According to the military report, insects were found at the facility, and some residents were lift in soiled diapers for hours..
Last week, Pickering council denied the owner's request to rebuild and expand.
In addition to a lease extension, the owner, Southbridge Care Homes, has requested an enhanced minister's zoning order to build a 15 storey facility.
Council voted against the move.
A spokesperson for Long Term Care Minister Paul Calandra blasted the move.
"Despite all of the province’s efforts to address the growing waitlist, despite a time-limited construction subsidy to spur construction, Pickering continues to stand in the way of much-needed additional capacity."
Gates brought the issue up in Question Period yesterday, saying the province shouldn't allow the home to continue to operate.
Calandra responded by saying the government is tearing down the home, and plans to build a new one.
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