Madam Chair, all Canadians think elderly people living in long-term care homes and other congregate settings need to have the utmost care and the utmost protection. The tragedy of deaths in long-term care homes is something Canadians will never forget. In fact, 85% of the deaths in the first wave occurred in long-term care homes and we are seeing the same pattern with the deaths occurring now. Clearly more has to be done in all provinces and territories by all jurisdictions.
The member opposite is right: There are staffing issues. In Quebec, 328 Red Cross staff are still in long-term care homes assisting the province to provide quality care to seniors so we do not see those kinds of horror stories again this time around. However, we have supported, through the safe restart agreement, $740 million to provinces and territories to strengthen infection and prevention control.
I look forward to those conversations, quite frankly, and I am certain they will include the ways the federal government can support the provinces and territories to deliver better care for long-term care residents, no matter which province they live in.