Outgoing Vaudreuil-Soulanges MP Peter Schiefke states that, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week, a re-elected Liberal government will move forward to improve working conditions for frontline workers and increase long-term care support for seniors.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on seniors in Vaudreuil-Soulanges and communities like ours across Canada. This is especially true for those who live in long-term care facilities. As a caring community we know we can’t let this happen again.
When the pandemic struck, the Liberal government moved quickly to provide support to frontline workers and seniors. It provided immediate support to staff and seniors in long-term care facilities by deploying the Canadian Armed Forces, providing PPE, tracking contacts, funding direct assistance through the Red Cross Canada and putting up to $ 875 directly in the pockets of eligible seniors to help cover the costs of the additional expenses they have had to incur as a result of the pandemic.
To build on this momentum, a re-elected Liberal government will work with provinces and territories to help them continue to support seniors by:
- Increasing the wages of personal support workers, including a guaranteed minimum wage of at least $ 25 / hr;
- Training up to 50,000 new beneficiary attendants;
- Doubling the Home accessibility tax credit, which will provide up to $ 1,500 more to help seniors stay longer in their residence by making it more accessible;
- Improving the quality and availability of beds in long-term care facilities;
- Continuing to implement strict infection prevention and control measures, including increasing the number of provincial and territorial inspections of long-term care facilities;
- Contributing to the hiring of a minimum of 7,500 family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners.
- Supporting the elimination of waiting lists in the health system which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic; and Drafting a law on the safety of long-term care to guarantee the elderly the care they deserve, regardless of their place of residence.
“Seniors have helped build our community of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, and it is our responsibility to continue to provide them with the appropriate care and support they need and deserve. I am proud of the additional investments that we will make in the months and years to come, because I know that they will have a positive impact on the quality of life of our seniors ”, explains Peter Schiefke.
