Most Canadians say government should nationalize nursing homes

This photo taken on April 16, 2020 shows flowers outside the Herron private nursing home in Dorval, west of Montreal. The discovery of 31 deaths at Montreal’s Herron nursing home has prompted an investigation into alleged gross negligence after caregivers fled amid a coronavirus outbreak, leaving elderly residents to fend for themselves. Eric Thomas / AFP

By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — A public opinion poll shows two-thirds of Canadians surveyed favor the government taking over ownership of nursing homes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the poor living conditions in some privately-run homes where seniors and others who cannot care for themselves live.

More than 80 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in Canada have occurred in nursing homes, most in Ontario and Quebec.

In Ontario, more than 280 facilities have reported an outbreak, leading to 1,500 deaths. In neighboring Quebec, more than 270 homes were infected, claiming more than 2,000 lives.

The latest study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds 66 percent of Canadians say privately-run homes should be nationalized to increase the health and safety of residents.

One-third of those asked disagree.

Currently, long-term care falls under provincial jurisdiction and is not subject to national standards under the Canada Health Act.

The National Union of Public and General Employees has asked the federal government extend the law to include long-term care facilities to ensure consistent standards.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will consider it when the pandemic is over.

The online poll was conducted from May 18 to 19, 2020 from a representative randomized sample of 1,777 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by the Angus Reid Institute.

(Eagle News Service)