On June 3, 2022, Ombudsperson Marc-André Dowd sent a letter to Marguerite Blais, the Minister responsible for Seniors and Informal Caregivers. In it, he commented on the draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting the certification of private seniors’ residences.
Mr. Dowd welcomes several of the amendments proposed in the draft regulation, including the addition of a sub-section on the formation of residence life committees. However, he notes that not all private seniors’ residences (RPAs) will be obliged to form such committees. That is why the Ombudsperson feels that in such cases, the residents should be able to form one on their own initiative.
Moreover, the fact that some RPAs would not have to have a process for briefing and integrating new staff members is disturbing. As Mr. Dowd sees it, every RPA must establish such a process for employees or volunteers exercising functions in connection with the services offered to residents.
The Ombudsperson also considers that:
- The collaboration agreements between RPAs and institutions (CISSSs and CIUSSSs) should be more precise, notably to better define the sharing of certain responsibilities;
- In cases of non-compliance with a collaboration agreement, the way of resolving the dispute should be established beforehand;
- There should be progressive measures so that institutions better support RPAs which do not fulfill their obligations, with a view to correcting the problem(s) sustainably.
The Ombudsperson made seven recommendations to the Minister.
