National

Long-term care improvements could top $13B

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Aug, 2021 10:09 AM

Canada's national budget watchdog says fixing the country’s long-term care system would come with a hefty price tag.

A report published this morning by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux estimates ending wait lists, increasing staff pay and benefits, providing more hours of care each day and expanding home care could cost around $13.7 billion.

Learn more in the PBO's latest report "Cost Estimate for Motion 77: Improvements to Long-Term Care" available at https://t.co/nG9v0cQGIr #cdnecon #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/JPMY0sYkxR
— Parliamentary Budget Officer (@PBO_DPB) August 4, 2021

The analysis is based on a motion put on notice in March by Green MP Paul Manly.

The problems in the system have been documented for years but came to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic as long-term care residents bore the brunt of outbreaks and deaths during the first two waves.

Ryerson's National Institute on Aging says 57 per cent of the 26,555 Canadians who have died of COVID-19 lived in a long-term care home.

The third wave of COVID-19 this spring was less deadly in long-term care because a majority of residents were fully vaccinated by the time it began.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Restrictions to ease for fully vaccinated Cdns

After nearly 16 months of rigid travel restrictions, Canada is finally starting to loosen the rules — but only for a specific few. Effective Monday, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents — those who have had a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada — will be able to skip the 14-day quarantine.

Restrictions to ease for fully vaccinated Cdns

Canada to receive 3.7 million doses of COVID-19

The federal government is expecting to receive 3.7 million more doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week, bringing the total of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries above 53.7 million doses.

Canada to receive 3.7 million doses of COVID-19

Out-of-province fire crews head to B.C.

Firefighting teams from Ontario and New Brunswick are arriving in British Columbia to assist with devastating wildfires. The BC Wildfire Service says the nearly 100 out-of-province members must pass COVID-19 safety checks before being sent into the field.

Out-of-province fire crews head to B.C.

7 dead in house fire near Calgary

7 people, including 4 children, have died in a house fire in a community just east of Calgary. The RCMP say two families were in the home in Chestermere when the fire happened early today.

7 dead in house fire near Calgary

Heat contributes to 719 deaths in just over a week in BC, 3 times the actual number of deaths that would take place in a week

719 sudden and unexpected deaths have been reported in the province during the historic heat wave, and that number over a seven-day period is unprecedented. Lisa Lapointe says the number of fatalities is three times more than what would normally occur during the same period.

Heat contributes to 719 deaths in just over a week in BC, 3 times the actual number of deaths that would take place in a week

Peace Arch Hospital to go on temporary diversion for maternity patients

In response to a temporary gap in pediatrician coverage at Peace Arch Hospital, Fraser Health is asking pregnant individuals requiring labour and delivery support to not proceed to the hospital during the period of July 8th to July 19th.