Yes.
Evidence of meeting #20 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was seniors.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #20 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was seniors.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you, Mr. Webber.
Dr. Jaczek, it's over to you for five minutes, please.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
Helena Jaczek Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
Thank you very much, Chair.
Thank you to all of our witnesses today. You have valuable insights to help our seniors, particularly those living in long-term care, and obviously you feel very passionate.
I'd like to turn to the question of the physical structure particularly at long-term care homes, retirement homes. Ms. Hall, you referenced this in your remarks, and I understand you've done a number of interviews on that particular subject.
Here in York Region, in our municipal homes, actually, one was redeveloped about 20 years ago. There was sufficient space to have nearly all single rooms and a couple of double rooms particularly for couples who obviously might want to be together in the same facility. In fact, of our two facilities here in York Region, neither has had a COVID-19 outbreak.
I would ask you to talk a little more about the importance of what the government might do to assist in the redevelopment.
6:10 p.m.
Chair, Canadian Association for Long Term Care
Just to restate, the physical infrastructure, when we're talking about something as infectious as COVID-19, is critically important.
The ability to put the recommendations in place from the Public Health Agency of Canada is critical going forward. I think there are many tangible examples of where homes that have a more modern design have had greater success in being able to prevent the spread of COVID. We've noted the narrow hallways and the inability to practise social distancing among the residents, but there are also issues like shared washroom space. Making sure that, in addition to that private room, there's also a washroom space that can be utilized by an individual is important.
There are a number of factors that need to be considered from a standards point of view, and as we think about what role the federal government can play, assisting on some of those structural pieces could be very beneficial.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
Helena Jaczek Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
Minister McKenna, as I think you alluded to, has made some provision potentially for shovel-ready projects in particular, but there does not seem to be any constraints in what she is proposing that might not be able to assist long-term care. Is that the way you've seen it?
6:10 p.m.
Chair, Canadian Association for Long Term Care
Yes, we certainly took note when she said that. Previously, when the housing dollars were made available federally, there was some sense that perhaps nursing homes or long-term care homes could tap into that line of funding, but that was not the case. We were encouraged when we heard about that shovel-ready project line, because we absolutely have projects that could move forward quickly, especially with the support of the federal government.
6:10 p.m.
Liberal
Helena Jaczek Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
Monsieur Brunet, I believe that in your pre-budget submission of February 2020, you also talked about investing in seniors housing, where care is provided, by using federal infrastructure funding to create some 42,000 new beds and to help rebuild old homes.
I presume you concur that this would be an area that should be pursued.
6:15 p.m.
President, Conseil pour la protection des malades
Certainly, I think it makes sense, but it is a challenge. I've seen, in my experience, old premises being held by people, being voluntarily very well tended, places and corridors where it smells good. We're talking about times of peace, not times of crisis. Sometimes the walls, the structure doesn't change the situation of how it is being led and operated, with all due respect. Yes, it certainly helps.
I have seen some places downtown in some villages being destroyed because they were too old and being built elsewhere in the countryside. People were so sad because they wouldn't see anyone walking in the streets. Sometimes you have good points, you want to modernize, but elders in Sainte-Agathe, Quebec are sad because the place they have built is in the woods. They don't see anyone walking around, you know, and elders want to see kids and people walking in the centre of the city.
There is a challenge, but I understand that it should be modernized.
Last summer, or the summer before, Mr. Barrette said that old places could not be air-conditioned. We know they are being air-conditioned when the intention is there, because all administrators, even in old places, have air conditioning in their offices.
6:15 p.m.
Liberal
6:15 p.m.
Conservative
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I'd like to thank all the witnesses for their excellent presentations.
I've met some of you before in my former role, and again I thank you very much for doing such a good job. Most of you have already covered a pretty wide range of topics.
Of course, in some of the things, as I've said—
6:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I'm sorry, Ms. Wong, could you move your mike a bit higher up, closer to your mouth?
6:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
A little further down...not so far. Well, a little bit more up....
Put it right next to your mouth, not up by your eyes. That will be good, right there.
Thank you.
6:15 p.m.
Conservative
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC
All right. Can you all hear me now? Okay.
I was thanking everybody for doing such a great job in your research and in your service. As I said, I've worked with some of you before in my former capacity.
I'd like to look more at the federal leadership, how we as a nation should work, not only during these COVID-19 challenges, but also for other jurisdictions as well.
I understand that every year there should be—
6:15 p.m.
Conservative
6:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Yes. Make sure your headset is on properly and the mike is right next to your mouth.
I'm going to pause here. Let's get this sorted out so people can hear you.
6:15 p.m.
Liberal