The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in Ontario’s long-term care (LTC) system, and the provincial government under Premier Doug Ford faced intense scrutiny for its response. With over 4,000 LTC resident deaths—approximately 40% of Ontario’s total COVID-19 fatalities by 2023—the crisis in senior homes became a flashpoint for criticism. Systemic failures, delayed actions, and inadequate oversight under Ford’s Progressive Conservative government contributed to a tragic toll, particularly in LTC facilities. This article examines how the Ford government’s policies and missteps exacerbated the crisis, drawing on reports, public sentiment, and data.Systemic Neglect Pre-Pandemic Set the StageOntario’s LTC system was already strained when COVID-19 hit in March 2020. Chronic understaffing, outdated infrastructure, and a reliance on for-profit operators—issues predating Ford’s 2018 election—were exacerbated by his government’s policies. In 2019, the Ford government slashed proactive resident quality inspections, with only nine of over 600 LTC homes receiving full inspections, down from 100% in prior years. This reduction, intended to cut red tape, left facilities unprepared for a public health crisis. The 2021 Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission report later criticized this move, noting that weakened oversight contributed to poor infection control and care standards.For-profit LTC homes, which housed a significant portion of Ontario’s seniors, became a particular point of contention. Facilities like Orchard Villa, operated by Southbridge Care Homes, reported death rates as high as 30 per 100 residents. Critics, including the Ontario Health Coalition, argued that the Ford government’s decision to award new licenses to for-profit operators, despite their worse outcomes compared to public or non-profit homes, prioritized profit over resident safety. Public sentiment on platforms like X echoed this, with users labeling the government’s approach as neglectful and accusing it of enabling preventable deaths.Delayed Response and Policy FailuresWhen COVID-19 emerged, the Ford government was slow to act decisively. Early in the pandemic, limited testing and asymptomatic transmission allowed the virus to infiltrate LTC homes, often through staff working across multiple facilities. Despite warnings from health experts, the government delayed restricting this practice until April 22, 2020, a critical misstep that fueled outbreaks. The 2021 Commission report highlighted the lack of a formalized response structure, noting that Ontario was unprepared despite lessons from the 2003 SARS outbreak.Infection control was another weak point. A May 2020 Canadian Armed Forces report, deployed to assist five overwhelmed LTC homes, exposed shocking conditions: inadequate PPE, poor sanitation, and neglectful care, such as residents left in soiled diapers or fed aggressively, leading to choking risks. These findings underscored the government’s failure to enforce robust standards. An Ontario Health review in July 2020 further warned that LTC homes were under-resourced for infection prevention, yet the government’s response lagged.Hospital-to-LTC transfers, driven by hospital capacity pressures, also raised concerns. While there’s no evidence of a policy to place known COVID-positive patients in LTC homes (unlike in New York), insufficient testing early on meant some transferred patients may have been asymptomatic carriers. This, combined with staff-related spread, contributed to devastating outbreaks.Financial Mismanagement and Unspent FundsThe Ford government faced criticism for its handling of COVID-19 relief funds. A 2021 report by Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office revealed that none of the $2.7 billion allocated for the province’s COVID-19 response was spent in the first quarter, even as LTC homes struggled during the third wave. This delay left facilities without critical resources for staffing, PPE, or infection control upgrades. Critics argued that this financial inaction compounded the crisis, with X users calling it “gross mismanagement” and questioning the government’s priorities.Shielding LTC OperatorsIn October 2020, the Ford government passed the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, which critics argued shielded LTC operators from COVID-related lawsuits unless gross negligence could be proven. This move, seen as protecting for-profit homes with poor track records, sparked outrage among families and advocacy groups. The Ontario NDP and others claimed it prioritized corporate interests over accountability for resident deaths, further eroding public trust.Reactive Measures and Too Little, Too LateThe Ford government did take steps to address the crisis, but many were seen as reactive. In April 2020, Ford requested Canadian Armed Forces support for five LTC homes, a move that exposed the system’s dire state. The Fixing Long-Term Care Act (2022) aimed to improve standards and increase care hours to four per resident by 2025, but advocates like the Ontario Health Coalition called it insufficient and overdue. Investments in 30,000 new LTC beds and vaccination prioritization for residents were positive steps, but they came after thousands of deaths and failed to address immediate needs during the pandemic’s peak.Ford’s “iron ring” promise to protect LTC residents, emphasized in 2020, rang hollow as outbreaks continued. Public frustration was evident on X, where users described the government’s response as “incompetent” and accused Ford of deflecting blame onto federal authorities or public health officials.The Human Toll and Public BacklashThe human cost was staggering: over 4,OOO LTC residents died, and families were left grappling with loss and unanswered questions. Stories of neglect, such as those in the military report, fueled public anger. On X, posts ranged from personal accounts of loved ones lost to broader accusations of systemic failure, with some users calling the government’s handling “criminal” or “murderous.” While these claims were emotionally charged, they reflected deep distrust in the government’s ability to protect vulnerable seniors.ConclusionDoug Ford’s government inherited an imperfect LTC system, but its actions—or lack thereof—amplified the COVID-19 crisis in Ontario’s senior homes. Reduced inspections, delayed restrictions on staff movement, inadequate infection control, unspent funds, and protections for LTC operators painted a picture of a government unprepared and slow to act. While measures like military assistance, new legislation, and bed expansions were implemented, they were often too late to prevent thousands of deaths. The Ford government’s handling of the crisis remains a dark chapter in Ontario’s history, with families, advocates, and the public demanding accountability for a tragedy that could have been mitigated with stronger leadership and foresight.Sources: 2021 Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission report, Canadian Armed Forces May 2020 report, Ontario Health July 2020 review, Financial Accountability Office 2021 report, Ontario Health Coalition statements, X posts, and media coverage from CBC, Toronto Star, and Global News.
Doug Ford’s Government and the Mishandling of Ontario’s COVID-19 Crisis in Long-Term Care
