In a bid to bolster oversight and enhance resident safety, the provincial government has unveiled a new Investigations Unit for long-term care homes.
With an investment of $72.3 million, the 10-person unit aims to act as a deterrent and enforcement tool, addressing serious non-compliance issues. The unit, effective immediately, will investigate allegations such as abuse or neglect, non-compliance, failure to follow inspector’s orders, falsification of reports, and negligence of corporate directors.
“These new investigators have the authority to add more accountability in the long-term care sector and will help address the most serious forms of non-compliance,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “The new unit complements what is already the toughest inspection and enforcement program in Canada, helping give residents the safety and quality of care they need and deserve.”
The investigators, designated as Provincial Offences Officers, completed rigorous 19-week training, covering all aspects of inspections, legislation, and investigative techniques.
Working alongside existing measures, the Investigations Unit, created under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, marks a significant step forward.
“The creation of this new investigations unit under the Fixing Long Term Care Act marks an important step forward to continue protecting Ontario’s long-term care home residents,” said Attorney General, Doug Downey. “By providing investigators with the ability to refer cases to prosecutors as needed, this team will help to improve compliance with the Act, keep residents safe and provide comfort and certainty to residents and their families.”
