Heated Debate Kicks Off Provincial Campaign - Seniors' Care Issues Front and Center

Toronto, Ontario (September 11, 2007) – The first official debate of the provincial election saw a heated debate on the issue of seniors’ care in Ontario.

Ontario Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman, NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo and PC MPP John O’Toole went head-to-head at the event hosted by the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS). Debaters questioned their rivals’ track record on the issue, while all insisted that seniors’ care is a top priority for their party. 

“In these early days of the campaign, this has been a great opportunity to get a sense of where the parties are coming from in terms of demonstrating their commitment to seniors in Ontario,” said Donna Rubin, CEO of OANHSS.

“No matter which party comes to power, we’ll be looking to see real investment to support seniors, both in their homes and in long term care settings.”

A capacity crowd packed the debate room at Hart House, University of Toronto, and included concerned groups who advocate on behalf of seniors, providers of care, major stakeholders in the field and seniors themselves.

The debaters tackled topics ranging from how to accommodate the province’s aging population, addressing two-tier seniors’ care and adequate funding for long term care. Questions came from a media panel that included Alan Carter (Global Television), Lisa Priest (The Globe and Mail), Moira Welsh (The Toronto Star) and Lorrie Goldstein (The Toronto Sun). Cathy Fooks, President and CEO of the Change Foundation, served as debate moderator.

“This debate was a great opportunity to bring the issue of seniors’ care front and centre in the early days of the campaign,” said Rubin. “Going forward, we want to see that seniors’ care remains a priority for all three parties.”

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes, seniors’ housing projects and community service agencies. Member organizations operate over 27,000 long term care beds and over 5,000 seniors’ housing units across the province.

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For further information, contact:

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

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OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.