Under new modernized funding model Ontario is building and modernizing long-term care homes faster
On December 14, 2020, David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland—Peterborough South, attended the ground-breaking of the new Golden Plough Lodge in Cobourg, where construction is beginning on a new building that will provide 180 modern long-term care spaces in the community. Golden Plough’s redevelopment project will build 29 new spaces and upgrade 151 existing spaces to modern standards.
“The number of people in Northumberland who will need long-term care is expected to increase significantly over the next decade,” said MPP Piccini. “The work underway here will make sure that our loved ones have a comfortable, modern place to live, near family and friends, with the support they need, when they need it.”
Under the modernized funding model, Golden Plough is receiving an additional investment of $7.3 million, bringing provincially-funded support for this project to approximately $89 million. This funding is part of Ontario’s additional investment of $761 million to build and renovate 74 long-term care homes across the province, creating close to 11,000 safe, modern spaces for residents to call home. This modernization initiative helps break down historic barriers and accelerates the construction of urgently needed long-term care projects, providing seniors with the quality care they deserve.
“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 Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of LongTerm Care. “We introduced the modernized funding model to build and renovate these homes faster in order to catch up on the years of underfunding and neglect. I am pleased to say we’re already seeing results, with thousands of new, safe, and comfortable spaces in progress.”
In addition to the provincial funding, the Infrastructure Ontario Loan Program is also providing nearly $97 million to help make the Golden Plough project a reality. This is one example of how Ontario is supporting municipalities like Cobourg to improve the quality of life in their communities by providing affordable, long-term financing for infrastructure development and renewal.
“The new 180-bed, 197,000 square foot Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) will enable our staff to continue delivering quality, compassionate care, with a greater number of seniors getting access to the care they deserve, in their own community,” said Warden Sanderson. “Financing the GPL redevelopment project through Infrastructure Ontario is an important strategy for delivering value to Northumberland taxpayers.
We appreciate the opportunity to secure affordable, long-term financing through the Province in order to deliver this highly-anticipated project.”
The modernized funding model for long-term care is helping the government deliver on its commitment to create 30,000 new 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.
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 through the Accelerated Build Pilot Program, which is adding up to 1,280 long-term care spaces. Provincial surplus lands are being provided with the requirement that long-term care homes be built on portions of the
properties.
QUICK FACTS
· The modernized funding model is being applied to projects dating back to June 2018 and will include new projects moving forward.
· Other long-term care homes in the region benefiting from the new funding model include:
Pleasant Meadow Long-Term Care Home in Norwood, which is receiving an additional investment of $4.6 million, helping them build 35 new spaces and upgrade 61.
· The Infrastructure Loan Program is an alternative financing approach that provides affordable, long-term loans to renew and build public infrastructure. Since 2003, more than $11 billion in loans have been approved in support of more than 3,100 community infrastructure projects across the province.
· In November, the province announced it is moving forward with 29 new long-term care projects, which will lead to an additional 3,000 new and upgraded long-term care spaces
across the province. The projects include an allocation for Southbridge Port Hope to build 35 new spaces and upgrade 157 spaces.
· As of June 2020, more than 38,500 people in Ontario are on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
