"Since they don't know how to play, they deserve to be beaten," the 90-year old said.

Hoping the government would earmark some money to bring more entertainment to the long-term care facility where he lives, Mr. Schurman watched the provincial budget unfold with interest.

"I paid taxes my whole life and I thought when I needed it, I'd get something in return," Mr. Schurman said. "But it's not coming. At least, it's not coming from this budget or from this government."

Having lived an active life, including running a hardware business for many years, the former Keswick resident finds the days long at Resthaven.

"I get so bored," Mr. Schurman said. "I sit in my room and wait for breakfast. After breakfast, I go back to my room and wait for lunch. After lunch, I return to my room and wait for dinner. After dinner, it's back to my room to wait to go to bed. I'd love to see more entertainment. We need music and we need dancing. I need something to do."

While the Liberal budget pegged $14 million for long-term care facilities, a $385-million shortfall remains, Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees told Resthaven residents.

"This budget is an insult to the 3,000 residents living in York Region's 27 long-term care facilities," Mr. Klees said.

Evelyn Barrack, 84, agrees.

Resthaven is short staffed, she said.

"I see things here that never should happen," Ms Barrack said. "We're left alone because there's not enough staff to care for us and there's no money to get extra staff. Seniors have always been ignored. It doesn't matter what party it is: there wasn't enough money for us from the Conservatives or the New Democrats or from the Liberals now or before."

Overseeing staff and 240 residents, Resthaven administrator Edith Schultz is also disappointed. It looks as if there will not be money to do away with the four-bed wards and introduce a semi-private system.

"We prefer semi-private," Ms Schultz stressed.

The Ontario Long-Term Care Association was quick to respond to the provincial budget.

Speaking from her Markham office, association director Karen Sullivan said she is "shocked and disappointed" with the budget.

The money in the budget translates into an additional one minute of care for each resident across Ontario. An extra 30 minutes is needed, Ms Sullivan said.

"Staff will be run off their feet to meet the basic care needs," Ms Sullivan said. "The double standard of physical comfort and privacy between old and new homes will continue with no commitment to a capital and renewal and retrofit program."

Appropriate funding would ensure staff would have more than eight or nine minutes to get each resident up, dressed, to the bathroom and to the dining room for breakfast, Ms Sullivan said.

Recently, the government heard from families, health care professionals and long-term care administrators about their needs, Mr. Klees said.

"The government was told that what's at stake is physical comfort, privacy and dignity of residents. The seniors have contributed to Ontario all of their lives and all we can come up with is 50 cents."