Privatization and contracting out also have a negative impact on working conditions and the conditions of care. Research on for-profit ownership of long-term care homes shows that for-profit homes are more prone to closure, are focused on profit rather than quality care and have lower staffing levels, more verified complaints, more transfers to hospitals and higher rates of pressure ulcers and morbidity.
The first COVID outbreak in long-term care in Canada occurred in the Lynn Valley Care Centre in British Columbia. Twelve years ago, staff at this facility were members of our union. Staff had decent working conditions, pay and benefits, but in 2002, changes to the province's labour code opened the door to privatization and eliminated union successorship rights. As the service was contracted out—