'We have no AC, nothing': Ontarians slam lack of air conditioning units in long-term care homes as extreme heat continues
People in Ontario are calling out Doug Ford's government as several long-term care homes in the province are still without air conditioning, while severe heat warnings are in effect in many cities.
On Wednesday, Ontario's Ministry of Long-Term Care stated to reporters that 537 of 627 long-term care homes in Ontario are fully air conditioned. All long-term care homes have "cooling areas" for their residents.
Last year, the provincial government passed legislation that indicated all long-term care homes in Ontario would have air conditioning units installed in all residents room by June 22 this year.
Many people in Ontario have taken to social media to respond to the lack of air conditioning units in several long-term care homes in the province.
Here in #Ontario this is how we cool our loved ones in #LTC. Cool damp towel and repeat. We have no AC, nothing. And our #HCW are donned in PPE for entire shifts. #RepealBill124 @fordnation Our parents deserve better! #HCWdeservebetter pic.twitter.com/fLC14pfCGz
— Jacy Ruuhala (@ruuhala) July 19, 2022
We're in a heat wave, and the warmest part of the summer is yet to come...but 90 Ontario LTC facilities still don't have air conditioning in rooms. In Quebec, 242 LTC facilities don’t have air conditioning in rooms.
Still wondering if our governments actually care about LTC? 🙄— Dr. Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) July 20, 2022
It is unacceptable that summer and the heat waves that come with it are here again but the Ontario government still hasn't installed air conditioning in NINETY LTC facilities across the province. This is exactly what ageism and ableism looks like!
— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) July 21, 2022
@fordnation this is another of your endless fails. Remember your promise of air conditioning for LTC homes? Much like your promise to protect them. You really are a failure in the job you aren't even doing. https://t.co/L7sC0WauuC
— Janet Greaves🇨🇦😷#🇺🇦💙💛 (@2jehan) July 20, 2022
Systemic failures have allowed LTC Homes to operate w/ substandard infrastructure despite annual complaints re: air conditioning whenever a 🌡heat wave occurs. #Seniors #LTCRights #LTC #ProtectingSeniors #HeatWave https://t.co/7RCs8ffeow
— ACE (@acelawyers) July 21, 2022
According to Environment Canada, a heat alert is in effect in Hamilton, Toronto, Halton - Peel, Sarnia - Lambton, Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent, York - Durham. The alerts indicates the hot and humid conditions could extend into Saturday.
"Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building," the advice from Environment Canada reads.
"Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion."
