FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT RECEIVES A FAILING GRADE ON HEALTHCARE WAIT TIMES FROM CARP
February 13, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has issued an Election Report Card delivering a scathing judgment on the Ontario government for its lack of progress on healthcare wait times. In calling an early election, Premier Doug Ford must be prepared to be judged on his record. CARP’s report card is one that no student would want to bring home to their parents – an F for failing. While there are some bright spots, Ontario seniors remain deeply concerned about healthcare wait times. The government has made progress in some areas, but significant room for improvement remains across all five CARP priorities.
The report card on the government’s response to CARP’s top five election issues represents the views of over 100,000 of the association’s members in Ontario. It is CARP’s mandate to voice the concerns that are most pressing for seniors to all the parties standing for election on February 27th.
For more information on what CARP is demanding of all parties and candidates in this election, visit: www.carp.ca/CARP5
Ontario Election Report Card: The CARP 5 (attached)
| Grade | CARP 5 Priority | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| B+ | INVESTMENTS IN HOMECARE | Ontario has made significant investments in home care services, including the recruitment and training of nurses and personal support workers (PSWs). While the direction is positive, the full impact of these investments is yet to be seen. |
| B- | TRANSFORMING LONG-TERM CARE | The government has made progress with new and upgraded LTC infrastructure, adding thousands of new beds. However, it has yet to fully embrace transformative models of care that prioritize home-like environments and individualized attention. |
| F | HEALTHCARE WAIT TIMES | The province has failed to sufficiently tackle wait times for emergency care, surgeries, and specialist consultations. The ongoing shortage of family doctors and geriatricians, coupled with an aging population, has worsened an already dire situation. Despite years of promises, little progress has been made. |
| A- | VACCINATIONS | Ontario is one of the leaders in providing key vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to older adults, including COVID-19, shingles for age 65-70, and influenza. However, work remains to ensure full coverage and accessibility for RSV and pneumonia immunization. |
| B+ | SENIORS FITNESS | The province has invested in programs to promote physical activity among seniors through community grants and senior centres. Encouraging seniors’ fitness is a cost-effective strategy to reduce healthcare expenses and combat isolation. More investment is needed. |
A Healthcare Crisis That Can’t Be Ignored
CARP is calling on all political parties to make healthcare the defining issue of this campaign. The state of Ontario’s healthcare system is a crisis for many, but a catastrophe for seniors. Emergency rooms are jammed, patients are left in hallways, and wait times for long-term care beds continue to grow as thousands more seniors will soon join the queue.
“Trade and economic interests are important, no doubt, but we are currently in a healthcare crisis when it comes to caring for our seniors. To ignore this during an election is yet another example of age discrimination,” said Rudy Buttignol, President of CARP.
“Stop looking south and start looking into the Emergency Rooms (ERs) jammed with patients lining hallways waiting for dignified care,” said Anthony Quinn, Chief Operating Officer of CARP.
PC Party Candidates Avoiding Seniors Debates?
In a troubling trend, local PC candidates are not being allowed to participate in all-candidates’ debates in CARP chapters across Ontario. These debates have historically given seniors a chance to hear directly from those who seek to represent them.
Since PC candidates won’t show up to face seniors, CARP is taking this report card public—so that all incumbent candidates and party leaders understand the frustrations of voters and feel the pressure to respond.
This is a call to action for Ontario’s senior voters—make your voice heard, demand accountability, and ensure healthcare remains the defining issue of this election.
Media Contact:
Rudy Buttignol, C.M., President, CARP
Anthony Quinn, COO, CARP
Email: media@carp.ca
