Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was an application process where the application deadline was in October, with the intent that the individuals would be in place in November or December of this year.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, we are not.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The Ministry of Long-Term Care estimated this summer that we would need to replace 6,000 PSWs, and we have critical shortages of RPNs and RNs as well.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Since September 14, we have now experienced 200 deaths in long-term care, so the date would be September 14.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Communications certainly have been key. As we've been navigating this COVID-19 environment, certainly in Ontario we've been taking advantage of the benefit of our residents' councils. Our homes and front-line staff have been working very closely with residents' councils to share the information, even today around changing directives and around infection outbreaks and communicating around visits.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have 94 in outbreak right now.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Currently, we have 435 staff cases.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have 695 resident cases today.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'll start. I think it's a great question, especially as we look at how so many of our residents do suffer from advanced dementia and cognitive impairment. Certainly training is very important, including working through Elections Canada to establish parameters in training and ensuring neutrality as we support our residents.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Madam Chair and committee members. It's a privilege to be here with you today, as per Mr. Lee's comments, on the day following Remembrance Day, when we recognize so many of our residents. We are grateful to the committee for recognizing the importance of ensuring that voting privileges are available to residents of Canada’s long-term care homes during this pandemic.