Whose Accountability Matters in Long-Term Care?

In response to quality issues within the long-term care (LTC) sector, the Government of Ontario implemented the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, and updated accountability and compliance measures, including doubling fines for non-compliance and investing in 193 new inspectors. However, enforcement tactics and inspection regimes may contribute to harm and neglect the root issues within the sector. Fines for non-compliance may create catch-22 situations in which homes lack the funds to fix the root issues. Governments also dictate and determine much of the resource allocation within the LTC sector. Accountability and quality improvement should involve addressing performance problems as a system.