Advocates say Ontario’s More Beds, Better Care Act could threaten the rights of franco\u002DOntarians to receive care in their first language.
The act, which was passed in the Ontario legislature Aug. 31, allows health authorities to move patients who are in hospitals waiting for long-term care beds to a home they have not chosen in order to free up hospital space.Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra responded that patients’ rights will be respected. But advocates want the right to French language services specifically spelled out in the bill’s regulations, which are expected to be released in greater detail in the coming days. They are also expected to contain details about how far away patients waiting for long-term care could be moved while they wait for a permanent bed.
There is even less choice when it comes to homes that provide care in French. There are about 15 long-term care homes across Eastern Ontario that are either designated under the French Language Services Act or identified as working toward that designation — meaning services are available in French. “The availability of francophone long-term care spaces remains limited across the province,” he said. “We are therefore concerned that Bill 7, if it does not take into account the linguistic characteristics of patients, could significantly reduce access to French language services,” he said.
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