TORONTO - Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman says he's no longer considering wearing an adult diaper to see if it's appropriate for Ontario nursing home residents.
Smitherman's offer last week to test drive new incontinence products used in the province's long-term care homes sparked a furor and calls for his resignation.
The minister says his intentions were honourable, even though some accused him of trivializing a serious matter.
Smitherman says his father was immobile for the last seven months of his life and that he takes seriously the dignity of seniors in nursing homes.
The minister made the offer in response to critics who say the standard of care in Ontario nursing homes is so bad that residents are being left in soiled diapers for hours on end.
He's since apologized for his remarks, and Premier Dalton McGuinty has dismissed opposition calls for Smitherman's resignation.
