OTTAWA — The Ontario government is on track to make good on its commitment to build 30,000 much-needed net new long-term care beds in the province by 2028. Ontario now has 31,705 new and 28,648 upgraded beds in development. This milestone was announced today along with the allocation of 681 new and 599 upgraded beds in Ottawa. Today’s announcements mark an important milestone in the province’s commitment to fixing long-term care, helping to reduce waitlists and providing our seniors the quality of care they deserve.
“Having 30,000 new long-term care beds in development across the province was always an ambitious target,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “But through record provincial investments, close collaboration with our health partners, and innovative new approaches, we have delivered. To put this number in perspective, only 611 net new beds were built between 2011 and 2018.”
The commitment to build 30,000 new long-term care beds in the province by 2028 is the largest long-term care building program in Canada — ever. The province is not only building capacity but is also investing in building a long-term care system where all residents experience the best possible quality of life, supported by safe, high-quality care.
All remaining allocations made through the Government’s 2021 Call for Applications, over 2021-22, were also announced today. Of the 365 projects announced to date (totaling up to 31,705 new and 28,648 upgraded beds), 115 projects have proposed to be part of a “campus of care” model focused on healthy seniors’ living, integrating the long-term care home into the broader health care system. Additionally, with the redevelopment of older homes, the prior system of 3-4 bed ward rooms is being eliminated and all homes will now be up to modern design standards.
Recognizing the diversity of our ageing population, 30 projects have proposed to serve Indigenous communities and 39 have proposed to serve Ontario’s Francophone population.
Of the above, Minister Calandra announced 681 new beds and 599 upgraded beds across Ottawa, while visiting the Bruyère Village and The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus today. These beds will be allocated to the following projects:
- 121 new and 71 redeveloped beds at Bruyère Long-Term Care Home
- 256 redeveloped beds at Extendicare Ottawa in Nepean
- 48 new and 272 redeveloped beds at Extendicare Ottawa in the West-End
- 320 new beds at Schlegel Villages-Ottawa at the Civic Hospital Site
- 192 new beds at Southbridge Ottawa
There are now 1,546 new and 1,480 upgraded beds allocated across Ottawa, which are in the planning or construction development process, including the allocations announced today.
The province has adopted several innovative approaches to build more long-term care capacity, faster. This includes the Accelerated Build pilot program, which aims to deliver new long-term care homes years sooner than traditional development projects. In 2020, the province also announced the Modernized Funding Model for Long-Term Care Homes which provides tailored incentives to address the needs of developers in different markets and accelerates construction. The government is also selling surplus provincial properties on the market, with the requirement that long-term care homes be built on these lands.
The government has a plan to fix long-term care and to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. The plan is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors.