Ontario Government Appoints the Honourable Justice Eileen Gillese to Lead Inquiry into Long-term Care Homes

The Ontario Provincial Government has appointed the Honourable Justice Eileen Gillese to lead an independent public inquiry into the policies, procedures and oversight of long-term care homes.

She has been asked to focus on the circumstances and systemic issues that may have contributed to the assault and death of residents who were under the care of Elizabeth Wettlaufer, a former registered nurse in long-term care homes in southwestern Ontario.

Justice Gillese will will also review the accountability measures in place to ensure they meet the objectives of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, and provide recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of residents.

A final report, including all recommendations, will be delivered to the Attorney General by July 31, 2019 and will be made available to the public.

Justice Gillese has been a sitting judge with the Ontario Court of Appeal since 2002. Previously she served as a trial judge of the Superior Court of Justice and was the Dean and Professor at Western University’s Faculty of Law.