Even as the Ford government plans to add 15,000 new long-term care beds over five years, which Ontario’s fiscal watchdog calls the ”largest new health sector spending commitment in the 2019 Ontario Budget,” he also says waiting lists will keep growing.

Financial Accountability Officer Peter Weltman says the wait list in 2018-19 was nearly 35,000 – 78% higher than 2011-12 because of the province’s growing, aging population.

The wait list is projected to peak at 40,2000 next year.

Once the province adds those 15,000 beds come into service in five years however, the wait list is projected to be 36,900, which is higher than the current list.

Even with those beds, the FAO also says an additional 55,000 long-term care beds will be needed by 2033 just to maintain waiting lists near current levels.