NDP calls for immediate action to make Revera public

OTTAWA – During this pandemic, many families lost their loved ones in long-term care homes across the country. Some of the worst outbreaks across the country right now are happening in homes owned by Revera – a for-profit company that is run by a federal agency. The number of outbreaks coming out of long-term care homes in Winnipeg, Calgary and across Ontario is devastating.

“The outbreaks are more than a statistic. They're loved ones gone. They're one less smile at the dinner table,” said NDP Leader, Jagmeet Singh. “This is the result of the failure of profit-driven care in long-term care and a federal government refusing to do the right thing. Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government must put an end to for-profit long-term care homes – starting with Revera. Lives count on it.”

Problems in Revera homes are not new. In the first wave of the pandemic, Revera had the second-most deaths in the industry, accounting for 230 deaths and has been unable to protect loved ones from major outbreaks across the country. Despite calls by many stakeholders to make Revera public, Justin Trudeau has stood by and now, people are in the worst scenario.

“Justin Trudeau has chosen to protect the for-profit model, instead of protecting our loved ones,” said Singh. “If the Prime Minister was able to make Trans Mountain public, he can absolutely make Revera public and save people’s lives.”

Facts — The catastrophic situation in Revera homes

• In the first wave, Revera had the second-most deaths in the industry, accounting for 230 deaths and has been unable to protect our seniors from major outbreaks across the country.
• Some devastating examples:
  • At Carlingview Manor in Ottawa, 61 residents died from COVID-19, putting the facility among the area's deadliest institutional outbreaks.
  • At Reachview village in Uxbridge Ontario, 51 residents tested positive for COVID-19, and 14 residents died of it.
  • At McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary, 62 residents and 44 staff members tested positive for the virus. 21 residents died from the virus, making it the deadliest outbreak in Alberta and the site of one in every six COVID-19 deaths in the province.
• During the second wave, Revera is again the site of significant outbreaks across the country.
• Some more devastating examples:
  • In Winnipeg at Beacon Hill Lodge, Maples and Parkview Place – in the three homes a total of 45 people have died and 133 workers and residents have contracted COVID-19 so far.
  • In Edmonton at South Terrace — we’ve so far seen 10 people die and 146 infected. 84% of the 90 residents have tested positive.
  • In Scarborough at Kennedy Lodge — we’ve so far seen 31 people die and 128 infected.
  • In Toronto at Main Street Terrace – we’ve so far seen 7 people die and 50 infected.
  • In Calgary at Mount Royal Care Centre – we’ve so far seen 6 people die and 66 infected.
• Despite many complaints by workers of understaffing, lack of PPE, overtime and pandemic bonus not paid, the company continues to deny its mismanagement.