Press Conference： $26.6 million to build 256 new long-term care beds in Stittsville
Episode Stats
Summary
In this episode, Premier Ford announces an additional $26.5 million in funding for a new long-term care facility in Stittsville, Ontario. Premier Ford is joined by Councillor Glenn Gower and Tanya Hein, President of the Stitzville Village Association, to discuss the announcement.
Transcript
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well thank you everyone and i appreciate you all for for joining me here today i'm pleased to be
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joined by councillor glenn gower as well as tanya hein who's the president of the sitsville village
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association so ultimately we all want what's best for our loved ones and we especially want to be
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sure that they are in a safe and modern space where they can receive the best quality of care
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COVID-19 has emphasized the need for long-term care to be repaired rebuilt and modernized
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and that's why our government has taken historic steps to add capacity and upgrade Ontario's
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long-term care homes when we began our work many projects were being delayed due to an outdated
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funding model we inherited a one-size-fits-all approach
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but we all know that what works in toronto doesn't necessarily work in
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necessarily work in metcalf and that's why in july
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premier ford and minister fullerton announced a modernized funding model
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and the upgrading of older homes to a higher and more modern standard.
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The new funding model has been designed to account for the specific needs of
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different communities. It removes barriers to building and
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upgrading long-term care spaces. It also ensures that homes are being
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built to standards that address issues like infection control and
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containment. Building capacity in our long-term care
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sector will also help take the pressure off local hospitals and ease hallway healthcare.
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This brings us to today's announcement. Through the new funding model our government is investing
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an additional 761 million dollars to accelerate 74 development projects across the province.
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This will help to create close to 11,000 safe modern spaces sooner for residents to call home.
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For example, right here in Carleton, Extendicare Stitzville is receiving an additional investment
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of $26.594 million to upgrade 256 spaces. I had the pleasure of meeting virtually
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with representatives from Extendicare back in August of this year to learn more about
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who they are as a company and their proposed development and expansion in Stitzville.
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I'm very pleased to see that this project is one step closer to becoming a reality.
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The number of Ontarians needing long-term care is expected to increase significantly
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over the next 10 years. These new and upgraded beds at Extend2Care Stitzville will provide
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local residents with a comfortable modern place to live while remaining close to family and friends.
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our government strongly believes in supporting our communities we are taking action to create
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a 21st century long-term care sector that is truly resident centered and that provides the highest
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quality of care for our most vulnerable where and when they need it and we are investing 1.75
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billion dollars to meet our commitment of building 30 000 new long-term care spaces over 10 years
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When we introduced our 2020 budget last year, Minister Phillips said that this budget provides
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more resources to strengthen frontline healthcare, to support people and employers, and to lay the
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groundwork for Ontario's recovery. Today's funding announcement of over $26.5 million right here in
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Stittsville is a perfect example of our commitment to protecting and supporting the people of Ontario.
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I'd now like to turn it over to Councillor Glenn Gower. Thank you.
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Thank you very much, Goldie. This is really great news that you're able to share this afternoon.
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It's a welcome investment from the provincial government for healthcare in Stittsville and
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the city of Ottawa, and it's providing more long-term care beds for our city in a high
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quality modern facility. And in addition to the new construction jobs for the build,
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I understand the facility could employ as many as 300 people full time and that's a significant
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number of jobs for our community here in Stittsville. And it also helps complete a planned
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cluster of services and housing on Hazeldeen Road for our aging population. So thank you for the
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announcement today and I'm looking forward to seeing the shovels in the ground for this exciting
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new project as soon as we can. Thank you very much. I'm excited as well. It's exciting. There's
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There's been a lot of shovels in the ground lately in Stittsville, Glenn, so I think it's good news for the community.