A Higher Standard: Setting Federal Standards in Long-Term Care and Continuing Care

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of federal government leadership in health care. The pandemic’s impact has been particularly dramatic in long-term care homes, exposing a fragmented and under-resourced system that is heavily reliant on for-profit delivery. This report proposes foundational principles for pan-Canadian continuing care services. These principles recognize the need for a shared, equitable approach that allows for diversity in practices across jurisdictions, communities, groups and individuals to address local contexts and needs in evidence-informed ways. The report also proposes national standards for long-term care homes and examines the need for a federal labour force strategy.