Thank you.
You're right. Over the past 45 years, we've contributed to dozens of parliamentary committees, public consultations and, for the past 35 years, public inquiries, mainly in the area of long-term care. In terms of results, however, things haven't changed.
Long-term care is provided every single day. People need to know that these facilities offer a good standard of living. That means ensuring measures are tailored to the reality on the ground. After 25 years as a health care advocate and given what I've seen, I respectfully submit that it doesn't matter whether an institution is public or private, despite what all the scientific studies say.
I've seen miracles and horror stories in public and private institutions alike. The difference lies in the men and women who run the establishments and their ability to show leadership in bringing together residents, families, unions and health care professionals. When all of them are at the table, the difference is clear. The low number of complaints these establishments receive has shown me that it doesn't matter whether they are public or private; the men and women running them and their ability to work alongside staff are what really matter. That's the empirical evidence I've gathered after being in the field 25 years and seeing hundreds of cases.
That's what I've experienced, what I've witnessed and what I think. Unlike others, I don't claim that it's based on scientific research.