Procedure and House Affairs committee  We certainly support the process, and really, we're unable to speak to that. We know that governments are elected by the people and it's a much broader population that the government should be taking into consideration.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I do not think the long-term care system in Ontario is election-ready right now. We are navigating massive outbreaks and emerging outbreaks and hot spots, and certainly we have a lot of work to do, I would argue.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's fair.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As per Mr. Lee's earlier comments, the people who are assisting swear an oath. We would hope they respect that oath.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We've certainly not heard of it in our homes in Ontario.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Certainly in Ontario, rapid tests are being introduced for staff in long-term care, and they are challenging. We do not, as of yet, have a less invasive test. In fact, it will be a deterrent because it is a deep nasal swab. In Ontario—as these swabs are now being incorporated in

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes. We have two essential visitors who do an attestation—but not testing. Only staff are being tested every two weeks, and residents are tested when they become symptomatic. Essential visitors have to schedule visits, and there's only one essential visitor permitted at a time.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's a great question. Perhaps sometimes the oldest formats are the easiest formats. If you could pursue it more as an advance ballot or an advance polling process rather than having it exactly on voting day, that might be preferable, to work things out ahead of time. Perhaps th

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I believe it would be easiest. It would reduce the amount of contact an employee would have with other people, certainly with the residents. They work at supporting the residents on a daily basis. They are accustomed to screening visitors; that has now been built into their role

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We certainly, as an association, would advocate for a shorter period, just given the demands on staff. The more condensed and more defined the process can be, the more contained it can be. Certainly we think that the easier it can be, the better. We would prefer something that is

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There's keeping voting in the home, whether that be through mail-in voting or using technology. Certainly through the pandemic, technologically enhanced engagement of our residents has escalated exponentially. There's ensuring that public health is very much involved in working

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'll start on this one. Certainly historically, Elections Canada would set up the polling stations in our long-term care homes. If we look at the physical capacity of so many of our residents—and in Ontario, it's 79,000 residents—to be able to go outside to vote, it would take a

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's a great question, and it's an important question and a concern. How do we make sure we're balancing the rights of the individual, because our residents are still individuals with rights and legal rights under the legislation? Similar to Mr. Lee's comments, it's something th

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The province released a staffing review study in the summertime. We anticipate that a staffing strategy will be tabled at the beginning of December, so it is still very much a work in progress. However, the Province of Ontario has launched a number of initiatives: a return to s