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Layton Announces Help For Seniors |
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Written by NDP
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Thursday, 08 December 2005 |
NDP Leader Jack Layton today announced the NDP plan to increase home care and long-term care for seniors.
"Seniors built Canada. They looked after us, but we're not looking after them," Layton said at the Oakwood Terrace long-term care facility in Dartmouth. "We owe them dignity and respect. We owe them the best care we can get them, where and when they need it."
Layton committed to a $1 billion annual transfer to provinces tied to improvements in home care. The transfer will provide home care for up to another 100,000 Canadians who require the service. Layton also committed to a $500 million annual transfer tied to the creation of new long-term-care spaces. Provinces will use the transfers to meet the local needs of seniors.
The improvements to home care and long-term care will allow seniors to live in dignity, provide respite and assistance to family members and release hospital beds for acute-care cases, Layton said.
"We can’t fix everything in a day. But we can start by getting our priorities right," Layton said. |
