Over the past several weeks, Ontario’s long-term care workers have been on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. As a trusted point of contact and daily support for our residents, many of whom have complex healthcare needs, our team has continued to go above and beyond every day, supporting families with care, compassion and dedication.

In our own homes, care staff have selflessly given much of themselves, their time and their knowledge. Each and every day we are impressed and inspired by their passion for helping others, and we want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

We’re also extremely grateful for the support our government partners are providing to our care staff. By providing temporary financial relief and benefits, Premier Ford and the Ontario government has recognized the important value that our long-term care workers bring to the healthcare field. They have recognized them for who they are: heroes.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the communities we are a part of. Over the past weeks, we’ve seen an amazing outpouring of support from these communities for our care workers, and it has truly lifted the spirits of everyone living and working at our long-term care homes. Some examples of these acts of kindness have included:

• More than 300 cars participating in a parade of support for staff at Country Village in Woodslee last week;
• Local businesses like Nifty Nook, Tim Horton’s and the Shelburne Legion Branch 220 donating food to staff at the Shelburne Long-Term Care Home; and
• Port Hope first responders demonstrating support with a parade past our Hope Street Terrace home.

These have been extraordinary times, and through it all, our commitment, and the commitment of our staff, remains unchanged: to protect the health and safety of our residents, limit the spread of COVID-19, and save lives.

As we continue to navigate this evolving situation, we will continue to do everything we can to support and care for those who support and care for our residents and their families. They deserve this recognition every day, but especially now.