Hi Friend,

My father died one year ago.

He was a resident in a long-term care (LTC) facility in Ontario and, like
so many deaths in LTC during the pandemic, his was avoidable.
[1]Much of the care of LTC residents is done by their families; facilities
are frequently understaffed, and loved ones often need to supplement the
work of LTC staff. In our case, we hadn't been allowed to visit my father
due to COVID-19 restrictions. We were not there to prevent a simple
infection from progressing to blood poisoning and ultimately, death.

My family's story is like thousands of others. So many people in Canada
have been devastated by the unnecessary loss of their loved ones. Over the
past year, thousands of LTC residents have died due to the virus, and many
others from avoidable deaths associated with malnutrition, dehydration and
neglect. Canada has had the worst record for COVID-19 deaths in LTC among
rich countries.

If proper structures and investments had been put in place, many of those
lost would still be with us. There will be further deaths today, tomorrow
and the next day without urgent change.

HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE. PEOPLE IN CANADA DESERVE DIGNITY
AND ADEQUATE CARE AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE. Canada urgently requires a
national LTC strategy, and the federal government must work together with
provinces and territories and key stakeholders to create and implement one
immediately.

DEMAND CHANGE [1]

I refuse to let these deaths be in vain. My father did not receive basic
health care in LTC when he needed it the most, and now he's gone. It is too
late for our family, but not for others, and I WILL FIGHT TO ENSURE OTHERS
RECEIVE THE NECESSARY CARE GOING FORWARD.

I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME AND THE MANY COMMITTED LTC ADVOCATES IN RAISING
YOUR VOICE TO DEMAND URGENT LTC REFORM IN THE NAME OF ALL THOSE WHO NEED
CARE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE; FOR ALL OF US. [1]

FACEBOOK [2]

TWITTER [3]

INSTAGRAM [4]

Annamie Paul
Leader of the Green Party of Canada

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