Ontario reviewing nursing agency practices in long-term care homes, minister says
![Long-term care A resident walks along a corridor at Idola Saint-Jean long-term care home in Laval, Que., Friday, February 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/1/31/long-term-care-1-6253152-1675164947309.jpg)
Ontario is reviewing pricing practices of nursing agencies involved in long-term care homes, the minister responsible for the file said Wednesday.
Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said at the legislature that his deputy minister has formed a technical advisory committee to examine the issue in response to queries about price gouging by nursing agencies.
"I do understand the challenges with agency staffing in long-term-care homes," Calandra said in question period.
"It is something that I've been hearing from our stakeholders."
Two weeks ago, the long-term care association that represents Ontario's non-profit homes said they were being overcharged by nursing agencies.
AdvantAge Ontario, which represents non-profit, municipal and hospital nursing homes, surveyed 100 of its homes and discovered they were paying $6 million per month collectively to nursing agencies.
The association said nursing agencies were "gouging" its homes.
"We are pleased that government has responded so quickly to our request for action on this very important issue," said Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario.
"Some temporary staffing agencies are taking advantage of a crisis in our sector. It's a major problem that is getting worse."
She said the exorbitant fees are undermining care.
"Government must take urgent action to control exploitative agencies," she said. "That includes putting restrictions on hourly rates for temporary staff in LTC homes."
Calandra said he wants input from AdvantAge Ontario and the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, which represents 70 per cent of the 630 nursing homes in the province, on the issue.
He also wants to hear from the staffing agencies and to review what other jurisdictions are doing.
Competition for nurses and personal support workers across the province remains fierce as the health-care system grapples with a severe staffing shortage.
Nurses and personal support workers are generally paid lowest in home care, more in long-term care and highest in hospitals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.