The union representing public health care providers in Regina and area, is calling on the provincial government to ensure that all new long-term care beds remain publicly funded and administered.

Sandra Seitz, president of CUPE Local 5430 says, “The provincial government announced 600 new beds in Regina, but has only confirmed that less than half of the beds will remain publicly operated.”

She says that through the COVID-19 pandemic private care providers often took shortcuts with staffing levels, personal protective equipment and the health of residents. Seitz says four out of five COVID-19 related deaths in Canada have either been residents or staff of a long-term care home. She says that is the highest proportion in the world, and many of these outbreaks were in for-profit spaces.

The union isn’t alone in its concerns. An Angus Reid Institute survey finds three-in-five Canadians say private care should be minimized or phased out, rising to two-thirds among those 55 years of age and older. Two-in-five say that private care can still be a part of the solution to the problems facing the industry.
In terms of top priorities for the industry, two-in-five say more enforcement of standards is needed (43 per cent). Further, a similar number would increase the minimum number of staff per facility (39 per cent) and raise their pay (38 per cent) in order to recruit and retain quality employees.

Forty-seven per cent say they will do everything in their power to avoid entering long-term care themselves, and to keep close family members out. More than 44 per cent say they “dread” the thought of living in long-term care.