Mr. Speaker, today on Parliament Hill the advocacy group “Canadians for long-term care standards” led an emotional memorial called “Broken Hearts, Empty Shoes”. They placed over 2,000 pairs of shoes in remembrance of those we had lost in long-term care homes this year and years past due to neglect. Many families in my community have been impacted.
Families like the Parkes family, who lost Paul Parkes when he sadly passed away at Orchard Villa last spring. Mr. Parkes' family could not be by his side in his final days and his family had to hear about the deplorable conditions he and other vulnerable seniors were left in. Mr. Parkes' daughter, Cathy, has been sharing his story like so many family members who have lost loved ones. They have been advocating for the necessity and urgency of establishing national standards in long-term care.
I am grateful to our Prime Minister for his leadership and commitment to establish national standards. We need to ensure that our most vulnerable seniors are cared for and these tragedies never happen again.