Premier Doug Ford has announced that an independent commission to look into the situation at long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic will begin its work sooner than previously stated.
He told reporters on Wednesday that he expects the commission to start its work in July after he had previously announced it would start in September.
A report released Tuesday by the Canadian Armed Forces shows evidence of abuse and neglect at five of the hardest hit long-term care homes in the province. Since the release of the report, Ford promised a full investigation by the Ministry of Long Term Care.
"The commission will be independent of the government. It will be open and transparent. There will be public hearings. They will call witnesses. The reports will be made public and we will get answers because our seniors deserve nothing less, their families deserve nothing less. They deserve answers and we will deliver them," said Ford.
Ford said the commission will have the full authority to investigate the homes, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health, and the government overall.
He has also promised random inspections at long-term care homes throughout Ontario and that the province is taking over control of five more long term care homes.
"We're fully prepared to pull licenses, to shut down facilities if it is necessary," said Ford. "We will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes."
Ford said he will welcome assistance from the federal government to fix the systemic issues in long-term care.