The Coalition for Seniors' and Nursing Homes Residents' Rights wishes to remind you, Mr. Premier, of your commitment to amend the legislation to permit investigations to be exercised in regard to residential facilities operating under the Nursing Home Act or licensed by the government.
To support this change, your letter dating April 28, 2005, to a former president of the coalition states: "We are also prepared to amend legislation to permit investigations to be exercised with regard to residential facilities operating under the Nursing Home Act or licensed by the government.
To support this change, a Liberal government will introduce a Resident's Bill of Rights based on the model that is found in the Ontario Nursing Homes Act."
Our research based on other provinces shows that the ombudsman offices in some of these provinces have jurisdiction over nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In fact, in Alberta, the ombudsman has jurisdiction to investigate complaints about long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
We strongly urge you to amend the legislation so as to permit the office of the ombudsman to carry out investigations and exercise oversight in regard to residential facilities operating under the Nursing Home Act or as licensed by the government.
We believe this to be a matter of justice to seniors.
Cecile Cassista
Executive director
Coalition for Seniors' and Nursing Homes Residents' Rights
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