The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority is an independent, self-funded, not-for-profit regulator mandated by the government to protect and ensure the safety and well-being of seniors living in Ontario’s retirement homes under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (RHA).
RHRA has the mandate to follow up on inquiries and complaints about contraventions to the RHA.
Sometimes issues fall outside of the RHRA’s mandate and authority. Other times, issues may be within RHRA’s mandate and authority, but may also engage another regulatory authority such as a body governing regulated health professionals.
The organizations listed on this page might be able to help you if your issue is about something RHRA doesn’t have the authority to look into, or may have a role to play in addressing the concern in addition to the RHRA.
RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ISSUES
The following are organizations who address issues such as increases in care service costs, the ending of tenancy notices, the maintenance or repairs of a building or suite, illegal evictions, harassment, disruptions to vital services e.g. hot/cold water, heat, electricity.
Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing)
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
BUILDING/WORKPLACE SAFETY
The following are organizations that address complaints issues that fall within the jurisdiction of other regulatory bodies. This includes concerns about fire, building, elevator, workplace health and safety concerns, and employment standards.
Local Fire Departments and Building Inspections
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
Ministry of Labour Health & Safety Contact Centre
Employment Standards Information Centre
REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS – HEALTH REGULATORY COLLEGES
The following are organizations that address issues related to the conduct of regulated health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. These organizations have a Mandatory Reporting requirement, meaning employers, facility operators and all regulated health professions have a duty to report certain information to Colleges, including the suspicion of sexual abuse of a patient, professional misconduct, incapacity and incompetence.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Ontario College of Pharmacists Ontario
College of Dietitians of Ontario
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
List of all regulated health professions not listed here
MINISTRY OF HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE & OTHER GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES
The following are organizations that address issues related to the operations or services provided by provincial government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The organizations listed below help deal with issues pertaining to care services provided through Home and Community Care Support Services, concerns about LTC home application or placement, infection prevention and control concerns, food safety concerns, as well as unresolved complaints regarding hospitals, LTC homes or home and community care.
Home and Community Care Support Services
ABUSE OR SUSPECTED ABUSE
The following are organizations who help address complaints dealing with issues relating to instances of abuse, suspected abuse, care or neglect of seniors not occurring in a licensed retirement home. We all have an obligation to report abuse to the RHRA for follow up. If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something. For instances of abuse or suspected abuse in a retirement home, contact RHRA. Please see the list below:
Seniors Safety Line (Ontario Government – Elder Abuse information)
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
ADVOCACY/LEGAL
The following are organizations who may provide guidance or advice to residents and/or their families and other supports. Some of these organizations provide information and/or assistance related to protecting the rights and interests of mentally incapable adults, capability assessments, and instances of suspected resident incapacity or residents at serious risk to themselves. Some of these organizations may also address matters of discrimination and provide information and/or assistance for low-income individuals and promote and advance human rights in Ontario.
Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
Community Legal Education Ontario
Tribunals
Ontario Human Rights Commission
If you are still not sure where to turn, contact us and our staff will do their best to direct you to the help you need.