Ontario government announces more protection for retirement residents

Today, the McGuinty government announced further steps to protect seniors in retirement communities. It will input more safeguards to ensure that residents' rights and safety are a priority, in advance of the implementation of the Retirement Homes Act.

The new steps implemented are the following:

• The complaints response and information service (CRIS) hotline will now be open seven days a week for residents and their families to access.


• It is now mandatory to report any risk of harm to a resident or any suspicion of harm to the Registrar of the Retirement Homes regulatory authority.


• The registrar must order an immediate retirement home inspection after any report of abuse or neglect.


• The CRIS hotline number must be posted in a visible and easily accessible location at every retirement residence.

Learn more about these stronger protections for seniors.