Ontario Investing Additional $26,594,560 to Build Long-Term Care in Carleton

Modernized funding model will lead to quicker construction of 256 long-term care spaces in Stittsville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2020

Carleton — The Ontario government is investing an additional $761 million to build and renovate 74 long-term care homes across the province, including $26,594,560 in Carleton. The additional funding is part of the province’s new funding model that helps break down historic barriers and accelerates the construction of urgently needed long-term care projects, providing seniors with the quality care they deserve.

Details were provided today by Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton, via a virtual press conference from her constituency office in Richmond. Extendicare Stittsville will be receiving an additional investment of $26,594,560, helping them upgrade 256 spaces.

“Our government has been taking historic steps to improve the quality of life for our loved ones by adding capacity and upgrading Ontario’s long-term care homes,” said Minister Fullerton. “We introduced the modernized funding model to build and renovate these homes faster, and we’re already seeing results, with thousands of new, safe, and comfortable spaces in progress.”

“The number of people in Ottawa who will need long-term care is expected to increase significantly over the next decade,” said MPP Goldie Ghamari. “The work underway here in Stittsville will make sure that our loved ones will have a comfortable, modern place to live, near family and friends, with the support they need, when they need it.”

“This is a welcome investment from the provincial government in health care in Stittsville and the City of Ottawa,” said Glen Gower, City of Ottawa Councillor for Stittsville. “This project will bring new construction jobs to our community and ongoing employment for many full time employees at the long term care facility. It also helps to complete a planned cluster of services and housing on Hazeldean Road for our aging popluation.”

The modernized funding model is helping the government deliver on its commitment to create 30,000 beds over 10 years. The new model moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead, provides tailored incentives to address the needs of developers in different markets: rural, mid-size, urban, and large urban. It also introduces an up-front development grant to address high cost barriers to construction.

“The Ontario government’s modernized funding model for long-term care development is good news for our new development in Stittsville, and for the many future projects needed to provide an enhanced level of care for seniors in the province,” said Dr. Michael Guerriere, President and Chief Executive Officer of Extendicare. “Extendicare will be investing $80 million to build this new home. The additional government funding will help make it possible to get this project moving. Our new long-term care home in Stittsville will feature state-of-the-art design standards to meet the current and future needs of seniors. This project is a part of Extendicare’s plan to replace all of our older long-term care homes in the province.”

“Stittsville Village Association recognizes the importance of ensuring there are enough long term care beds to serve communities across Ontario,” said Tanya Hein, President of the Stittsville Village Association. “We are encouraged by funding and initiatives like this that will allow Ontarians quicker access to these urgently needed spaces, including here in Stittsville.”

Working together with long-term care partners, Ontario continues to use innovative ideas and modern solutions to help end hallway health care and increase long-term care capacity in communities across the province. The government is also driving the development of new long-term care spaces by selling surplus lands with the requirement that long-term care homes be built on portions of the properties, and through the Accelerated Build pilot program, which is adding 1,280 spaces in a matter of months, not years.

QUICK FACTS

  • The modernized funding model has already boosted support for 74 projects across the province, representing 10,753 long-term care spaces: 3,957 new beds, and 6,796 older beds being redeveloped to modern standards. Of the 74 projects, 49 involve the construction of a brand-new building.
  • Under the previous funding model, these projects would have received $8.1 billion, which includes one-time funding, 2019 construction funding subsidies over 25 years, and operational funding over 30 years. Thanks to the modernized funding model, the projects will now receive an increased amount of $8.9 billion.
  • As of June 2020, more than 38,500 people are on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES