April 10, 2020, Toronto – Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and our over 220 members support over a million vulnerable people across the province and we are proud of all our frontline workers during this incredibly stressful time. Our sector’s main concern during this time of pandemic is the safety of our clients and frontline workers.

We have tabled with government the need to keep our sector top of mind and the need to prioritize the allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to allow workers to provide safe care during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are aware of the government’s actions to obtain resources and appreciate all their efforts. However, the current situation at one of our member agencies, Participation House Markham, is a distressing example of the immense challenges facing the province right now in ensuring an adequate supply of PPE across the health system.

The province must act now to ensure the safety of staff and residents of Participation House Markham and other home and community care providers in Ontario. As community spread is now the main transmission vehicle in Ontario, the provincial allocation of PPE must reflect this.

The home and community care sector encompasses a multitude of services and service providers, including congregate settings such assisted living, transitional care homes, as well as home care and community based programs like Meals on Wheels; services that normally can help keep people healthy and out of the hospital. But our sector can only help keep hospital admissions from mounting with support and, particularly during this time of pandemic, access to PPE supplies. We are all trying our best to do our part, but we cannot succeed without the tools we desperately need.