COVID-19: Whistleblowers in Long-Term Care

PUBLISHED: 23/10/2020

Fear is coursing through long-term care homes in Canada as the country slips into the second wave of the pandemic. Will it be as fatal as the first wave?

During the first wave of Covid about 8 in 10 deaths from the virus were in long-term care. In late spring, the federal government called in the military to help with homes dealing with outbreaks and staff shortages. For many PSW’s and staff, they are the lowest paid yet face the most danger.

On top of that, there is little to no whistleblower protection for those workers so they can continue to work in unsafe conditions or take a chance on speaking up, and being fired. Earlier this year, the provinces were presented with recommendation. Now, soon to be debated at Queen’s Park, new legislation which would protect people and organizations from “making an honest effort” from legal action.

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GUESTS:

Allan Cuttler - President at Anti-Corruption and Accountability Canada -http://acacanada.ca/author/allan-cutler/

David Hutton -Senior Fellow at the Centre for Free Expression Whistleblowing Initiative at Ryerson University - https://cfe.ryerson.ca/people/david-hutton

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REFERENCES:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/advocates-push-to-expand-whistleblower-protection-for-personal-support-workers-in-long-term-care-homes?fbclid=IwAR3Eyddn54ljEYy7RBhuQA0BEos57usCX631rFb4baOjGeh68GXbku-9s54

https://www.advantageontario.ca/oanhssdocs/Media_Centre/LTCHomesActCentralseeSiteNavigation/Staff_Reporting_Whistle-blowing_Protection_PandP.pdf

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/09/12/front-line-workers-wont-speak-up-without-whistleblower-protection-union-leaders-say.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ontario-patient-ombudsman-pandemic-1.5548991

https://www.patientombudsman.ca/Portals/0/documents/covid-19-report-en.pdf

https://www.cp24.com/news/we-must-prevent-what-happened-from-happening-again-patient-ombudsman-on-ltc-homes-1.5138063?cache=yes%3FclipId%3D373266%3Fot%3DAjaxLayout

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https://www.ombudsmandespatients.ca/Portals/0/documents/covid-19-report-en.pdf

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http://catalogue.iugm.qc.ca/GEIDEFile/ontario.PDF?Archive=194321391250&File=Ontario

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https://www.cpacanada.ca/en/news/pivot-magazine/2020-04-27-canada-protecting-whistleblowers