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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.
 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
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.
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Annamie Paul
Leader of the Green Party of Canada
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