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.
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
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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