Independent commission on long term care to begin probe in September

May 19, 2020

The province will launch an independent commission into the long term care system in Ontario in September.

The Minister of Long-Term Care, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, made the announcement this morning via news release.

“Our government has been clear that we will review the long-term care system to get a better understanding of the impacts and responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Over the next several months, our government will be finalizing details of the commission including terms of reference, membership, leadership of the commission and reporting timelines,” she says in the news release.

“We have been clear the long-term care system in Ontario is broken. We must act quickly and decisively, and that is why an independent non-partisan commission is the best way to conduct a thorough and expedited review. “

The provincial government has been under scrutiny for long term care during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, about 70 per cent of the people who have died of the virus have been the elderly in long term care homes. Over 1,600 health care workers have also become ill, in part because of the lack of personal protective equipment in the homes.

Groups like the Ontario Health Coalition says the privatization of long term care bears part of the blame.

“As we all take steps to contain this pandemic, the Commission will get down to work and provide us with guidance on how to improve the long-term care system and better protect residents and staff from any future outbreaks,” says Fullerton.

“Ontarians need and deserve answers, and let me assure you, they will get them.” 
 

Share This

Image
Front Page

One arrested in armed robbery on Walpole Island

October 8, 2026

The Independent A Walpole Island man is facing charges after an armed robbery. Oct. 6, around 8:45 am, Walpole Island Police, Lambton OPP, the West Region Emergency Response Team and the Canine unit were called to an armed robbery at a business on Tecumseh Road. Police say a man went into the business, brandished a gun and took products before

Read More

Image
Front Page

Plympton-Wyoming mayoral candidate suggests using mayor powers to pick top staff

October 7, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Plympton-Wyoming Mayoral Candidate Tim Wilkins says he’s not a “big believer” in Strong Mayor Powers but says if he did use them, it would be to pick the town’s chief administrative officer. The statement came during the first of two All-Candidates night in the town; this one organized by the Huron Shores Optimist Club in Camlachie Oct.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Politicians did know about Clean Harbors project says CAO

October 7, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent St. Clair Township officials say members of councillors were aware of a new storm water project at Clean Harbors. And, they say, officials have not yet considered appealing the decision by the Environmental Compliance Approvals Branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks allowing the project to go ahead. In Oct. 2025, the US-based company

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flyers goaltender Brown posts first PJHL win

October 7, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent A trip to Aylmer Saturday will be a lifelong memory for Petrolia Flyers goaltender Ryder Brown. He kicked out 44 shots for his first career PJHL victory backstopping the Flyers to a 6-3 win against the Spitfires. Rhett Joy and Casey Guerette led the winners with a goal and an assist each. Nathan Beer, Nathan Reidhead, Noel

Read More