advocates say ontario’s more beds, better care act (bill 7) could threaten the rights of franco-ontarians to receive care in their first language of choice.
the act, which was passed in the ontario legislature on 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.
the act has attracted widespread criticism from those who say it tramples on the rights of the elderly, disabled and other people in need of long-term care. advocates for the elderly say it places a disproportionate burden of the health-care crisis on the backs of those waiting for long-term care beds.
there are additional concerns about the impact the act will have on francophones, especially since there are limited francophone long-term care spaces across the province.
last week, ottawa-vanier liberal mpp lucille collard raised the issue in question period at queen’s park.
she said francophone families are worried.
“families are afraid (their loved ones) might be transferred to homes far away from their own home where they cannot have services in the french language,” she said.
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.