Although these are mostly century-old buildings in the greater Montreal area, they can be found in virtually all regions. Only Laval and Abitibi-Témiscamingue do not.
Each year, Quebec assigns a rating from A to E to all of its infrastructures, including residential and long-term care centers (CHSLDs). The D and E scores are below the acceptability threshold. Buildings that obtain them are considered to be in deficit in maintaining their assets.
From CHSLD currently in operation, 128 have recently obtained a D rating, which means that the building is in bad condition
. Forty-three others are considered in very bad condition
with rating E. In these cases, the level of degradation and defect is high, and major and often urgent work is required.
Some CHSLD get this rating because they still have double rooms or don’t have enough bathrooms, which helps spread viruses. Others still do not have a permanent air conditioning system to deal with heat waves in summer, or still do not meet electrical standards.
Reconstructions already started
last years. There was laxity. […] THE CHSLD obviously weren’t a priority. We are catching up on that delay”,”text”:”In Quebec, unfortunately, there has been very little investment in public infrastructure over the past 10 years. There was laxity. […] The CHSLDs were obviously not among the priorities. We are catching up on this delay””>In Quebec, unfortunately, there has been very little investment in public infrastructure over the past 10 years. There was laxity. […] THE CHSLD obviously weren’t a priority. We are catching up on this delay
explains the Minister for Health and Seniors, Sonia Bélanger.
In its budget tabled last week, the Legault government plans to invest $396.7 million over the next decade in the reconstruction and repair of CHSLD. Part of this money has already been announced, among other things for the construction of the Lanaudière seniors’ home which will house residents of two CHSLD dilapidated (Saint-Eusèbe and Parphilia-Ferland).
The budget documents also mention the amounts already known for the new facilities that are to replace the Grace Dart Extended Care Center and the CHSLD Benjamin-Victor-Rousselot, in Montreal. Minister Bélanger assures that other announcements are planned soon.
Will the 43 buildings with the E rating, therefore in very poor condition, be rebuilt or renovated as a priority? Not necessarily
she answers.
E. However, it is possible that an establishment which is in category DorC can slip into the priorities because other parameters will have been taken into account. For example, the aging of the population in a given territory”,”text”:”As minister, it is clear that I want establishments in category E to be given priority. However, it is possible that an establishment that is in the DouC category could sneak up on the priorities because other parameters will have been taken into account. For example, the aging of the population in a given territory””>As minister, it is clear that I want establishments in category E to be given priority. However, it is possible that an establishment that is in category D or C could slip into the priorities because we will have taken into account other parameters. For example, the aging of the population in a given territory
explains Ms. Bélanger.
Meanwhile, she recalls that all establishments in Quebec, in all regions, also have an envelope to carry out functional renovations that will make a very, very big difference for the quality of living environments
.
The minister does not doubt the ratings
The Minister for Health and Seniors, Sonia Bélanger. (File photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Félix Duchesne
According to Ms. Belanger, CHSLD in Quebec. There are some that are in a state of disuse, but we are going to invest in renovating them. It’s really important, the quality of care and safety. There is no compromise to be made on this subject.”,”text”:”we still have very good CHSLDs in Quebec. There are some that are in a state of disuse, but we are going to invest in renovating them. It’s really important, the quality of care and safety. There is no compromise to be made on this subject.”}}”>we still have very good ones CHSLD in Quebec. There are some that are in a state of disuse, but we are going to invest in renovating them. It’s really important, the quality of care and safety. There is no compromise to be made on this subject.
Unlike her colleague Bernard Drainville, Minister of Education, Sonia Bélanger has no doubts about the method for classifying the obsolescence of CHSLD. Last week, Premier François Legault and Minister Bernard Drainville both questioned the system used to calculate the school dilapidation index. François Legault even openly wondered if school service centers exaggerated the evaluation of buildings in order to receive more money to renovate them.
Asked about this, Sonia Bélanger does not seem to dispute the ratings given to the CHSLD. I am very satisfied with the professional evaluation that is done
she says, recalling that engineers take part in it.
The government has committed to building 46 new seniors’ homes and alternative homes (which house adults with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder).
Ultimately, the projects should make it possible to create 3,054 new places and restore 426 existing places in CHSLD renovated.
The explosion of construction costs and the shortage of labor, however, are causing headaches for the government. Minister Sonia Bélanger plans to report on the progress of the projects soon.