Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement after the province announced it would be undertaking a commission on long-term care rather than a public inquiry:

“There is a big difference between a public inquiry, which has a legal definition and a prescribed process, and a commission open to manipulation by the government of the day.

A tragedy that has claimed over 1400 lives needs full transparency so that families get justice and so we can overhaul the conditions that caused it.

I am concerned that a government controlled commission will not provide the answers and solutions that Ontarians deserve.

History will judge us by how we learn from the mistakes of the past and make changes to care for our elders with dignity.

The Conservatives have been in power for two years, and their actions deserve to be put under the microscope as much as those of previous governments.

I will continue to call for an independent public inquiry to get the impartial, non-partisan answers we need.”

source: media release, Green Party of Ontario