Calls are growing for Ontario to prioritize non-profits in using surplus land for long-term care homes amid rising demand for beds
Oakville: The Ford government is under pressure to ensure that surplus public land meant for long-term care homes goes to non-profits. This comes as they try to increase the number of available beds in Ontario.
The long-term care minister has acknowledged that there are significant capacity issues at current facilities. To tackle this, the province is looking to utilize public land for new projects.
Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta mentioned that they are identifying surplus lands for potential long-term care developments. Some projects are already in the works.
For instance, a piece of land in Oakville has been sold to Schlegel Village for a new long-term care facility. This site will provide 512 new beds, which is a step in the right direction.
However, some critics are concerned that the focus seems to be on large, for-profit companies rather than non-profit organizations. Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, argues that public land should be reserved for non-profits, as they often struggle to secure funding.
She pointed out that many non-profit projects are stalled due to a lack of available land, and this could make a significant difference in addressing the growing wait-lists for long-term care.
Currently, wait-lists in Ontario have surged, with estimates showing they have doubled in the last decade. The Ontario Long Term Care Home Association reports that nearly 48,000 people are waiting for a bed, with many stuck for over six months.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles also supports the idea of prioritizing non-profits for surplus land. She believes that while using this land for affordable housing or long-term care is essential, it shouldn’t benefit private companies.
Stiles criticized the government’s tendency to favor for-profit solutions, especially given the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic.
