St. John’s, NL (June 20, 2025) – Tony Wakeham, Progressive Conservative Leader and MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, is reacting to yesterday’s Status Report on Recommendations released by the Seniors’ Advocate.  The report makes it clear that the Liberal government has failed to act on key recommendations that would alleviate the financial burden seniors face in accessing vital home support services.

“The Seniors’ Advocate has sounded the alarm—again—and the Liberal government continues to ignore it,” said Wakeham. “Seniors in this province are being forced out of their homes and into institutional care simply because they cannot afford help at home. That is unacceptable.”

Wakeham said that while most provinces in Canada provide home support services free of charge, Newfoundland and Labrador still requires seniors to pay some or all of the costs—regardless of their income.

“We are one of the only provinces in Canada still asking seniors to pay out of pocket for basic home care. That leaves many trying to do without, putting their health and well-being at risk,” he said. “If we want to respect our seniors, we must make it possible for them to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. That’s what they want, and that’s what they deserve.”

Wakeham is urging the Liberal government to stop dragging its feet on this issue and take immediate action before more seniors are unnecessarily displaced from their homes.