Ontario announces $20M funding program to install automatic sprinklers in retirement homes

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Meeshika Sharma
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The province has promised  $20 million to help install automatic fire sprinkler systems in small retirement homes across Ontario — after more than two decades of pressure from safety advocates.

The decision comes in the wake of multiple deadly fires at retirement homes across the province.

Dipika Damerla, Minister of Seniors Affairs  said the funding program is "both responsive to the financial challenges the sector has raised, and balanced through a cost-share model."

It will help retrofit more than 6,000 suites, in order to meet a Jan. 1, 2019 deadline for the province's retirement homes to be equipped with the automatic systems under updated fire code requirements.

Retirement homes will have to apply for the government program, which aims to help small homes with under 49 beds in rural communities comply with the rules.

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