News release

For immediate release

 Investing in Scarborough Centre Long-Term Care Homes to protect against COVID-19

 

Scarborough, Ontario, April 16, 2021—Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

Today, Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre, Christina Mitas, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Centre, announced joint funding towards two projects to improve long-term care homes in Scarborough Centre.

The Government of Canada is investing $880,000 towards these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $220,000 to the projects.

• Hellenic Home for the Aged will receive $560,000 in federal and $140,000 in provincial funding to replace five rooftop units to ensure AC is fully operational in all areas of the facility and install a building automation system to control air quality, as well as upgrade exhaust fans in resident shower and spa rooms and replace hot water tanks to provide consistent hot water for infection control purposes and increase airflow in confined spaces.
• City of Toronto – Bendale Acres will receive $320,000 in federal and $80,000 in provincial funding to upgrade humidifiers and AHUs by making ventilation modifications to increase fresh air intake, increase air change rates per hour and implement UVC technology to supplement ventilation, which will enhance the ventilation system in the home.

On April 16, 2021, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Deb Schulte, Federal Minister of Seniors; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, announced over $99.4 million in 95 projects to improve long-term care homes across Ontario.

The majority of funding will make important upgrades and improvements to HVAC systems as well as sprinkler and ventilation systems in long-term care homes across Ontario. All residents living in long-term care facilities deserve to live in safe, modern spaces, and these investments will improve the safety of these homes for both residents and long-term care workers.

The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic. 

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Canada’s most vulnerable populations. As we continue to battle this crisis, upgrading ventilation systems to ensure cleaner air in Ontario’s long-term care homes will be critical to the health and safety of residents and the people that care for them. The Government of Canada is investing 80 cents on every dollar invested in these important projects across the province. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.” --The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Our seniors in long term care in Scarborough have suffered great hardship during this pandemic. This is vitally important funding that will help keep seniors safer and healthier, as well as the hard working staff. I am so glad to see the federal and provincial governments working together to address the challenges in long term care – this is what we owe to our seniors.” -- Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament, Scarborough Centre

“These funds for both our facilities will be used for HVAC replacement and upgrade projects that will improve the air quality in our facilities and mitigate COVID-19 transmission for our residents and staff. Hellenic Homes is most appreciative of these grants and would like to extend our graduation and appreciation to our Federal and Provincial Governments for their generosity and support in keeping our seniors safe.” -- Hellenic Home for the Aged, Inc.

Quick facts

• To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
• Through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects
• Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

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