Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning, everyone.
I would like to begin by thanking the witnesses for their testimony. I'd also like to thank my colleagues across all parties for working together and agreeing to continue to study COVID-19 and how it impacts women. It is good that we are looking at how COVID-19 has impacted women in long-term care, as we all know just how hard long-term care homes across Canada have been hit by this virus.
My question is for Professor Armstrong. In my region of Peel, we have had over a total of 962 cases and 200 deaths among staff and residents in long-term care due to COVID-19. Without a doubt, this is a tragedy. I have been working, along with my colleagues, to advocate for a national standard in our long-term care homes, even though long-term care homes come under provincial jurisdiction, we all know. I know that between 2015 and 2019, our government increased long-term care funding to over 500 organizations, and the horizons for seniors program focused on the seniors as well, but there's a lot more that we need to do.
Professor Armstrong, you talked about a lack of special training, special skills and specialized care. What unique consideration should we give to women who live in these long-term care homes? We all know that we need more staff, as there's a shortage of staff as well. Can you elaborate on that?