Who We Are

The Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils was formed in 1981, by a small group of residents living in long-term care. Since that time, OARC has continued to grow and gain member representation from Residents’ Councils province-wide, to better reflecting diverse experiences of people living in long-term care.

Residents’ Councils are a vital part of the culture and experience in every long-term care home. Every home is mandated to form and support a Residents’ Council and to engage residents in quality improvement initiatives within the home (Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021).  The OARC Board of Directors and team members are committed to supporting and educating others about resident rights and the roles and responsibilities of Residents’ Councils.  This is achieved through in-person and web-based efforts, and ongoing collaboration and consultation with government leaders, organizations in the health care sector, and other key stakeholders.

OARC’s Mandate

Objectives:

1. To encourage and support the formation and operation of Residents’ Councils in long-term care homes;
2. To assist and encourage residents of long-term care homes to become active participants in the operation and management of their homes and in the community at large;
3. To assist and encourage residents in sharing and consolidating ideas and promoting policies that improve the standard of care and quality of living for all residents; and
4. To educate the community about issues faced by residents of long-term care homes with a view to improving the standard of care and quality of living for all residents.

And other purposes not inconsistent with these objectives.

OARC’s Mission Statement

We empower Ontario long-term care residents to understand their rights, share their lived experience, and inspire a better tomorrow. We do this by working together with our partners to educate stakeholders, build a collective voice, and create positive culture change.

 

OARC’S Values

Compassion – We demonstrate compassion by developing caring relationships that are built on acceptance, trust, and honesty.

Dignity - We embrace the inherent dignity of all people, and respect their right to be valued and accepted without judgement.

Inclusion – We are committed to ensuring that all residents are engaged and heard.

Collaboration - We know that we can accomplish more when we work together to achieve shared goals.

 

OARC’S Vision

Every long-term care resident in Ontario shapes the place they call home.