Miscellaneous
Libby Znaimer is joined by Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips (Ajax) followed by, Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Healthcare, Donna Duncan, CEO of Ontario Long-Term Care Association, NDP MPP France Gelinas (Nickel-Belt) and health critic and Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. Yesterday, Minister Phillips announced that the province is providing $270-million dollars in funding towards hiring 4,000 LTC staff by the end of the fiscal year. This commitment is part of the longer-term goal of providing nursing home residents with an average of 4 hours of care per day by the year 2025. The province wants to add four hours of care in the Ontario Long-Term Care Act. The money announced yesterday will bring the average direct care for each resident up to 3 hours per day by March 2022. At least, that is the plan. And, last week, Minister Phillips announced that the province is mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all LTC staff with a deadline for Nov. 15. Phillips details the reforms he's been working on since he took over the LTC file four months ago?So, what more does the minister of this file have to say? And, we hear reaction to his promises.? ---- DAILY BREAD FOOD BANK THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE & TORONTO FOUNDATION REPORT Libby Znaimer is joined by Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank and Sharon Avery, President and CEO of the Toronto Foundation? Last time Neil was on, he explained to us how the pandemic has exacerbated the issue of food insecurity in Toronto. In the past 6 months, the food bank saw a 67-percent increase in usage compared to before the pandemic. On October 9, Daily Bread is launching a Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Food Drive between 10 am and 3 pm where you can drop off non-perishable goods in a contactless way at its warehouse in Etobicoke. The goal is to raise 30,000 lbs of food for residents in need? Meanwhile, the Toronto Foundation just released its 2021 Vital Signs Report that reveals that it is getting more difficult for many residents to make ends meet in the City. Sharon breaks down the report findings in greater detail? Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!