The Government of New Brunswick will receive some help from Ottawa to improve the life of residents in the region’s long-term care homes.
At a press briefing in Dalhousie, N.B., on April 19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged $22 million from the federal Safe Long-Term Care Fund. The money is aimed at helping New Brunswick improve its long-term care facilities.
“All Canadians should have access to the safe, quality health care they need and deserve,” said Trudeau.
“This agreement is good news for New Brunswickers, and we will continue to work with all provinces and territories to help ensure everyone, no matter where they live in Canada, has access to the health care they deserve, including safe long-term care.”
Trudeau said the money will help provincial leaders with costs related to preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in facilities. It also goes toward renovations and upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in older buildings.
New Brunswick Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch says New Brunswick has 546 long-term care homes that care for roughly 11,600 residents. He said those homes play a key role in providing high-quality care for the province’s aging population.
“For the past two years, long-term care workers have been dedicated in keeping residents of our nursing homes and special care homes safe from COVID-19,” said Fitch.
“In partnership with the federal government, we plan to continue improving the quality of care in New Brunswick’s nursing homes.”