How You Can Help
If you have a relative in a long term care facility about whose care you are concerned, you can:
Contact the Ministry of Long-Term Care directly through the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line by phone at: 1-866-434-0144 (toll free). The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
Or you directly contact the Long Term Care Inspection Branch by writing a complaint letter to the Director copying your local MPP:
Acting Director – Brad Robinson, 8th Floor, 438 University Avenue, Toronto M7A 1N3 Brad.Robinson@ontario.ca 416-212-6707
Copy the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister of Long-Term Care, Operations Division – Kelly McAsian kelly.mcaslan@ontario.ca 416-660-5764
District Manager, Central East – Adam Sikora - adam.sikora@ontario.ca
District Manager, Ottawa – Jessica Pattison - Jessica.Pattison@ontario.ca
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CONTACT THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
If not resolved, send your complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman
Paul Dube 418-586 - 3300 info@ombudsman.on.ca
Director, Special Ombudsman Response Team – Domonie Pierre - dpierre@ombudsman.on.ca
CONTACT THE PATIENT OMBUDSMAN
Contact the Patient Ombudsman - Craig Thompson, Patient Ombudsman
Box 130, 77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1N3
Toronto: 416-597-0339
Toll free: 1-888-321-0339
Online Complaint Form https://patientombudsman.ca/Complaints/Make-a-complaint/Submit-Complaint
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CALL, WRITE AND VISIT YOUR MPP'S OFFICE
Visit your MPP's office. They are usually in their Constituency Offices on Fridays - find out who your MPP is by typing in your postal code - https://www.elections.on.ca/en/voting-in-ontario/electoral-districts.html
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CONTACT THE ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
If you believe that your loved one has been subjected to Human Rights violations in their care facility because of race, age, disability, sex, or sexual orientation you can file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission:
Ontario Human Rights Commission
180 Dundas Street West, 9th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2G5
Tel: (416) 326-9511 Toll Free: 1-800-387-9080
RETAIN A LAWYER TO ENFORCE YOUR LOVED ONE'S RIGHTS
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If you believe that someone's Constitutional Rights have been violated, contact the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms - https://www.jccf.ca/
You can also retain your own lawyer or join class action lawsuits currently underway in Ontario.
Some firms that have filed class actions are:
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Rochon Genova - Joel Rochon - ($600 million class action against Sienna and the City of Toronto for breach of fiduciary duty and violation of residents' Charter Rights) https://www.rochongenova.com/Lawyers/Joel-Rochon.shtml
Howie Sacks - https://www.hshlawyers.com/expertise/nursing-home-negligence/
Neinstein LLP - Rose Leto (against Chartwell) - https://neinstein.com/
Will Davidson - https://www.willdavidson.ca/will-davidson-llp-continues-investigations-at-long-term-care-homes/
Class Action Clinic at Windsor Law - https://classactionclinic.com/about/
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IF YOU HAVE THE FUNDS AND WISH TO RETAIN A LAWYER TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE ITS OWN LEGISLATION THROUGH A WRIT OF MANDAMUS, CONTACT LAWYERS FAMILIAR WITH ADMINISTRATIVE LAW.
From: http://defenceeast.com/mandamus-lawyer-defence-counsel-avocat-toronto-ottawa-ontario-montreal-quebec
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What is the Prerogative Writ of Mandamus?
Mandamus is a royal prerogative writ involving a petition made to the sovereign, in Canada in the form of her Superior Court Justices, to force a lower court or government official to perform a public duty that is being refused. Because it forces future action, and doesn't retroactively undo decisions that have already been made, it's often used in combination with the writ of certiorari which will vacate an earlier decision prior to mandamus compelling a future action.
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Why Seek Mandamus?
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Mandamus forces a lower court or official to do something that is being refused.
These have often been used in immigration law but may be applied in long term care as well.
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Individuals can also employ a lawyer to seek judicial review of government decisions.
"Judicial review is the process by which the courts oversee administrative decision-makers to ensure that their decisions are legal and are within their conferred powers. Essentially, the courts may review and grant relief regarding an administrative decision where the decision-maker exceeded its statutory mandate or breached the principles of procedural fairness." Procedural fairness can be said to be in question when there is procedural impropriety, illegality, unreasonableness and unconstitutionality. (Ontario Bar Association - Your First Judicial Review, May 7, 2013).
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PLEASE NOTE:
THIS SITE DOES NOT INTEND TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE - PLEASE CONSULT ANY MEMBER OF THE PRIVATE BAR CONCERNING THE POSSIBLE FILING OF A WRIT OF MANDAMUS.
​Here's an example:
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UNA asks court to force Alberta Government to enforce nursing home staffing law
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By United Nurses of Alberta March 10, 2015
