/R E P E A T -- Sudbury Council passes resolution calling on government to fulfill the promise of homecare/

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Aug. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Sudbury City Council unanimously passed a resolution today, introduced by Ward 4 Councillor Evelyn Dutrisac, calling on all levels of government to work together to strengthen public healthcare and fulfill the promise of homecare. The resolution is an initiative of local SEIU Healthcare members who deliver homecare services throughout the city.

"We have been promised that care will be available to us when we need it most," said Sudbury resident Mike Price who helped to bring the resolution to council. "However, with more than 10,000 people in Ontario currently waiting for homecare, the time to fulfill the promise of homecare is now."

By 2036, nearly one in four people in Ontario will be a senior requiring more care, medications and more attention. Governments have acknowledged that much of the problem can be answered by homecare and have promised to meet this challenge by funding and investing in homecare. So far, this has been more talk than action.

To ensure the promise of homecare is delivered, SEIU Healthcare, Canada's largest healthcare union which represents 55,000 healthcare and community service workers in Canada, is working with members and volunteers in communities around Ontario to raise awareness of this critical issue and encourage municipal councils to voice their support for strengthening public healthcare by passing resolutions.

SEIU Healthcare is calling on all levels of government to work together to strengthen public healthcare and fulfil the promise of homecare in the following ways:

• Cut waiting lists for homecare;
• Provide relief to family caregivers;
• Guarantee security and peace of mind for seniors and families that depend on homecare by ensuring that every health professional coming into their home is trained and qualified;
• Insist investments go the frontline, not the bottom line;
• Demand transparency and accountability; and
• Protect the heart of healthcare by attracting and retaining personal support workers with fair and reasonable compensation and incentives like retirement security.

"Ontarians deserve to get the homecare they have been promised," said Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Healthcare. "The time for talking is over and the time to act is now."

For more information visit www.fulfillthepromise.ca

SOURCE: SEIU Healthcare

Kyle Ferguson 
Media Relations Specialist, SEIU Healthcare
Cell: 416-809-0699   Email: [email protected]