Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members deployed to long-term care facilities in the province are heading home today, as their mission comes to an end.
Around 500 military members were deployed in April to seven long-term care homes in the GTA hit hard by COVID-19, where they found cases of abuse and negligence as well as bug infestations, and residents being left crying for help for hours.
Their observations were compiled into a damning report released last month, which you can read here.
It has sparked several lawsuits, as well as calls for an overhaul of how Ontario’s long-term care homes are managed.
The Prime minister has said there is a “medium-term plan” to support efforts in those facilities until Sept. 15.
He said it includes “the active participation of the Red Cross with paid, well-trained people who will be as effective as members of the Armed Forces.”
Eligible CAF members working directly in high-risk COVID-19 pandemic environments will receive an Exceptional Hazard Allowance of $78 per day, retroactive to Feb. 1, 2020 and in effect until Sept. 30, 2020.
Details: https://t.co/bMpZ7QTlT0 pic.twitter.com/zIvKV9XAOA
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) June 19, 2020
On the frontlines at home – thank you to everyone supporting at long-term care facilities, helping to keep our seniors healthy. #ThankYouThursday pic.twitter.com/6ioxXXYZjD
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) June 11, 2020
