Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has hit our seniors and elders particularly hard, especially those in long-term care. We know seniors are more at risk, and many of us are doing everything we can to protect our parents and grandparents. All of us have watched the heartbreaking scenes of loved ones standing outside long-term care homes, trying to let their elders know they are not alone. We have all seen dedicated staff overwhelmed by it all, as well. For many years, federal and provincial governments have created cracks within our long-term care system, to the point that it cannot fully serve residents in a safe and dignified manner.
This crisis has shown us what must finally be done to properly support our long-term care system. We need national standards and the funding necessary to enact them. Our vulnerable seniors and their loved ones deserve nothing less.