NDP MPP Gilles Bisson says the McGuinty Liberals are failing seniors in long-term care by breaking an election promise to improve care for residents, citing the stories of patients in several Sarnia long-term care homes.

Today in Question Period, Bisson raised the concerns of Al Muxlow, a resident of Trillium Villa and the president of its resident council, and Brenda Marshall, who sits on the council representing residents′ families at Trillium. They both have first-hand knowledge of Dalton McGuinty′s broken health care promises and how they′re hurting long-term care for our seniors.

Bisson told the Legislature about chronic underfunding at Trillium, Twin Lakes Terrace, Vision Nursing Home, Sumac Lodge and Afton Park Place, and how for residents, that means only $5.34 per resident per day for food, and in some cases, being forced to wait up to 30 minutes just to go to the bathroom.

“Seniors in long-term care are our neighbours and family, our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. They raised us. They worked hard. They built this province. The least we can do is make sure they retire in dignity,” Bisson said.

“What we′re seeing in Sarnia-Lambton, and across Ontario, is a troubling pattern of neglect in long-term care homes, of seniors forced to live out their golden years in squalor instead of the dignity they deserve. That′s totally unacceptable,” he said.

Bisson urged the McGuinty government to live up to its election promise to “invest in better nursing home care, providing an additional $6,000 in care for every resident” (Liberal 2003 Election Platform). If this promised funding were actually provided, it would make a significant difference in the care and services residents receive.