Ontario Ombudsman to investigate oversight of long-term care homes

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has launched an investigation into the province’s oversight of long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dubé said he is invoking his authority to investigate on his own initiative. The investigation will focus on whether the oversight of long-term care homes by those the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care during the crisis is adequate to ensure the safety of residents and staff.

Dubé says the military report into the conditions at five homes in the province “painted a stunning portrait of the situation in long-term care during this crisis.”

Ontario called in military assistance for five homes dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks in April. Members said they observed cockroach infestations, aggressive feeding that caused choking, bleeding
infections, and residents crying for help for hours. According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, 1,648 residents and seven staff members have died amid outbreaks in the facilities.

“Our investigation will look at the systemic issues that led to it, and will make constructive recommendations for corrective action,” Dubé said. “Determining the root causes of administrative dysfunction and recommending practical solutions is what we do.”

Both ministries were given formal notice of the investigation today.

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial officer of the Ontario Legislature who resolves and investigates some 26,000 public complaints per year about provincial government bodies. He makes recommendations to ensure administrative fairness, transparency and accountability. The Ombudsman’s recommendations have been overwhelmingly accepted by government.