Protests at Queen’s Park by people affected by the pandemic deaths at Orchard Villa LTC in Pickering
A nursing home operator that had the highest death rate in Ontario during the pandemic is moving ahead with plans to significantly expand the Orchard Villa Long-Term Care Home in Pickering, increasing its size more than fourfold.
The provincial Municipal Affairs and Housing ministry approved the expansion at Orchard Villa – currently housing 320 beds – by Southbridge over two years ago, even with its troubling track record during the pandemic and a series of protests from grieving families at both the Valley Farm Road site and Queen’s Park.
After various delays, Southbridge received further approval for an enhanced Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) to speed up construction, despite a request from Pickering Council to cancel the MZO.
Southbridge intends to build a 15-storey structure on the southwest part of the site before tearing down the existing building and replacing it with two or three additional structures, each ranging from 10 to 15 storeys tall.
In total, Southbridge aims to create 832 long-term care beds along with another 670 retirement home beds.
Site mobilization is expected to start later this month.
More than 70 residents at Orchard Villa died directly due to COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Others suffered because of negligence, dehydration, and starvation. In one case, a resident choked because staff fed them improperly. Overall, Southbridge, which manages 25 long-term care homes across Ontario as well as other retirement facilities, experienced a loss of nine percent of its residents-the highest rate among for-profit chains.
The conditions at Orchard Villa and four other homes across Ontario deteriorated so badly that support was requested from both the Canadian Armed Forces and Red Cross. The army later released a harsh report detailing cockroach infestations, food left out to spoil, residents being left in soiled diapers for extended periods, unsafe medication distribution practices, and serious injuries like broken hips going unaddressed.
A court challenge against Ontario’s decision to expand Orchard Villa was filed last year following protests at Queen’s Park organized by seniors’ groups and individuals who lost family members while also pushing for action from Pickering Council.
The expansion proceeded regardless.
“It didn’t matter what we said; the ministry was going to move ahead anyway,” stated Pickering Councillor Maurice Brenner. “Our position has not changed. The people who lived there lived through hell.”
Brenner mentioned that there’s little more they can do now except make sure Southbridge secures all necessary building permits and site plan approvals.
“That won’t be a challenge but they still have to go through all that,” he added. “I expect they’ll get started on construction sooner rather than later.”
Orchard Villa is located in Brenner’s ward where those directly impacted by tragic events in 2020 still feel deep pain.
“The scars do not heal when you lose loved ones,” he remarked. “Those images will never fade away.”
Brenner expressed frustration about many “unanswered questions” regarding Southbridge’s model and whether they’ve learned anything moving forward.
“It’s frustrating. There’s a need for long-term care but will it be profit-driven or non-profit?”
“This chapter has not yet closed.”
Patricia Spindel of Seniors for Social Action Ontario noted earlier this year that research indicates non-profit homes offer better care overall.
“But when it came time for funding decisions, the Ontario government inexplicably chose to grow the for-profit institutional sector instead of supporting non-profit assisted living programs that could provide integrated care for elders within their own homes and communities.”
Cathy Parkes, who lost her father Paul at Orchard Villa and has sought judicial review regarding its expansion said long-term care homes with consistent failures “do not deserve a free pass.”
“After so many loved ones perished including my father alongside ongoing issues highlighted in incident reports; Southbridge should not have been granted extra beds or a new 30-year license for Orchard Villa. Ontarians need assurance that quality care is paramount in long-term facilities.”
If residents have concerns regarding redevelopment at Orchard Villa; City of Pickering issued a statement clarifying that this project is “provincially approved and privately led”, meaning zoning control lies with province due to MZO-not city jurisdiction.
“The city did not initiate or fund redevelopment” while its role remains strictly within legislated responsibilities according to their announcement.
“We recognize that Orchard Villa has been an issue of public concern here; our compassion extends towards older adults along with their families,” read their statement. “Our team remains committed providing accurate updates as this project proceeds while maintaining dialogue with Ministry of Long-Term Care along local MPPs ensuring quality service remains central throughout redevelopment” “City officials will continue advocating dignity safety compassionate treatment amongst Pickering’s senior community while remaining closely linked provincial representatives supporting accountability positive outcomes every stage.” Any inquiries related either construction specific projects may directed via contact Southbridge Health Care LP found www. southbridgecarehomes. com. For questions around provincial approvals policies concerning long term caretaking visit Ontario Ministry Long Term Care webpage www. ontario. ca/page/ministry-long-term-care.
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More than 70 residents at Orchard Villa died directly due to COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Others suffered because of negligence, dehydration, and starvation. In one case, a resident choked because staff fed them improperly. Overall, Southbridge, which manages 25 long-term care homes across Ontario as well as other retirement facilities, experienced a loss of nine percent of its residents-the highest rate among for-profit chains.
The conditions at Orchard Villa and four other homes across Ontario deteriorated so badly that support was requested from both the Canadian Armed Forces and Red Cross. The army later released a harsh report detailing cockroach infestations, food left out to spoil, residents being left in soiled diapers for extended periods, unsafe medication distribution practices, and serious injuries like broken hips going unaddressed.
A court challenge against Ontario’s decision to expand Orchard Villa was filed last year following protests at Queen’s Park organized by seniors’ groups and individuals who lost family members while also pushing for action from Pickering Council.
The expansion proceeded regardless.
“It didn’t matter what we said; the ministry was going to move ahead anyway,” stated Pickering Councillor Maurice Brenner. “Our position has not changed. The people who lived there lived through hell.”
Brenner mentioned that there’s little more they can do now except make sure Southbridge secures all necessary building permits and site plan approvals.
“That won’t be a challenge but they still have to go through all that,” he added. “I expect they’ll get started on construction sooner rather than later.”
Orchard Villa is located in Brenner’s ward where those directly impacted by tragic events in 2020 still feel deep pain.
“The scars do not heal when you lose loved ones,” he remarked. “Those images will never fade away.”
Brenner expressed frustration about many “unanswered questions” regarding Southbridge’s model and whether they’ve learned anything moving forward.
“It’s frustrating. There’s a need for long-term care but will it be profit-driven or non-profit?”
“This chapter has not yet closed.”
Patricia Spindel of Seniors for Social Action Ontario noted earlier this year that research indicates non-profit homes offer better care overall.
“But when it came time for funding decisions, the Ontario government inexplicably chose to grow the for-profit institutional sector instead of supporting non-profit assisted living programs that could provide integrated care for elders within their own homes and communities.”
Cathy Parkes, who lost her father Paul at Orchard Villa and has sought judicial review regarding its expansion said long-term care homes with consistent failures “do not deserve a free pass.”
“After so many loved ones perished including my father alongside ongoing issues highlighted in incident reports; Southbridge should not have been granted extra beds or a new 30-year license for Orchard Villa. Ontarians need assurance that quality care is paramount in long-term facilities.”
If residents have concerns regarding redevelopment at Orchard Villa; City of Pickering issued a statement clarifying that this project is “provincially approved and privately led”, meaning zoning control lies with province due to MZO-not city jurisdiction.
“The city did not initiate or fund redevelopment” while its role remains strictly within legislated responsibilities according to their announcement.“We recognize that Orchard Villa has been an issue of public concern here; our compassion extends towards older adults along with their families,” read their statement. “Our team remains committed providing accurate updates as this project proceeds while maintaining dialogue with Ministry of Long-Term Care along local MPPs ensuring quality service remains central throughout redevelopment” “City officials will continue advocating dignity safety compassionate treatment amongst Pickering’s senior community while remaining closely linked provincial representatives supporting accountability positive outcomes every stage.” Any inquiries related either construction specific projects may directed via contact Southbridge Health Care LP found www. southbridgecarehomes. com. For questions around provincial approvals policies concerning long term caretaking visit Ontario Ministry Long Term Care webpage www. ontario. ca/page/ministry-long-term-care.
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Last Thirty Days : Thirty Thousand One Hundred Forty Six Votes
All Time : One Million Two Hundred Seventy Three Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Five VotesTwo Hundred Seventy Eight VOTES
