FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Amendments to Long Term Care Legislation Support Not-for-Profits

TORONTO (March 19, 2007) – Proposed amendments to the new Long-Term Care Homes Act (Bill 140) that will govern provincial long term care homes give added support and recognition to the not-for-profit sector. The amendments were contained in the report of the Standing Committee on Social Development that was tabled in the Legislature today.

“We were very pleased to see that the unique governance structure of not-for-profit homes has now been acknowledged with more appropriate penalty provisions for municipalities and not-for-profit boards,” said Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors.

A statement is also proposed for the Preamble to the Bill recognizing the government’s commitment to not-for-profit delivery of long term care.

“These were two key concerns for our members and we are very pleased that the Committee listened and made these important changes,” added Rubin. “Not-for-profits have been a vital part of long term care in this province for over a century. These amendments will go a long way to preserving and promoting our sector.”

OANHSS welcomes the proposed legislative framework but notes that it places a strong focus on compliance. “We certainly support measures to enhance standards and ensure full accountability but we will definitely be looking for increased operating funding for our sector in the upcoming provincial budget to provide homes with the means to achieve them,” added Rubin.

OANHSS has also called on government to establish and maintain a multi-year capital improvement program to support the ongoing renewal of the province’s long term care homes that is required in the Act.

“New legislation will influence our sector and affect the lives of resident in long term care homes for decades to come – it is so important that we get it right,” Rubin noted. “We are looking forward to working with the government on the regulations under the Act to ensure that they are clear, practical and achievable.”

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.