I’m happy to read out this petition:
“Petition to Expand Long-Term Care in Sioux Lookout.
“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
“Whereas the current long-term-care facility at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre has 21 beds;
“Whereas Sioux Lookout is a hub for 33 surrounding First Nations, 28 of which are not accessible by road;
“Whereas Sioux Lookout has 5,800 permanent residents and thousands of people travel there for medical appointments and social services;
“Whereas the wait time for a long-term-care bed in Sioux Lookout is five to six years;
“Whereas this long wait time puts an additional strain on Meno Ya Win Health Centre’s emergency department and its alternate-level-of-care beds; and
“Whereas these long wait-lists are preventing residents from receiving necessary care in a timely manner in close proximity to their homes;
“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to commit to building and resourcing 76 long-term-care beds in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.”
I’m happy to sign this petition and give it to page Martel.