By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
Liberal seniors’ affairs critic Linda Caron visited Bedford on Oct. 7 to pick up a petition spearheaded by the Bedford Pole Health Committee (BPHC) against the cancellation of the CHSLD de Bedford expansion project. The paper-only petition received over 3,400 signatures over the summer, according to the BPHC. Caron and the Liberal critic for the Estrie region, Désirée McGraw, plan to table it at the National Assembly on Oct. 10.
In 2022, then-seniors’ affairs minister Marguerite Blais announced plans to move forward with a $15.1-million expansion of the CHSLD, which would have allowed 49 residents to live there in private rooms and created a protected unit with eight places for people with cognitive disabilities who are susceptible to wandering. The planned expansion was first outlined in 2019 before running into delays due to the pandemic. The CIUSSS announced in June of this year that it was cancelling the expansion altogether, ostensibly due to a cultural shift to home care. The CIUSSS announced plans to consult residents about smaller upgrades to the facility, which the BPHC and the Fondation Lévesque-Craighead, which raises funds for various projects at the Bedford CHSLD and CLSC, said were insufficient.
“The CIUSSS misled us, and we trusted them. Statistics can be manipulated to suit any narrative, but one thing is undeniable: they are depriving our regions of essential services, and this is simply unacceptable,” said Yves Lévesque, vice-president of the foundation. Lévesque and BPHC spokesperson Pierrette Messier-Peet have cited cases of seniors who would prefer to live in Bedford being relocated as far away as Longueuil for long-term care.
At the CHSLD de Bedford, Caron spoke to reporters alongside Bedford Coun. France Groulx and representatives from the BPHC, the foundation, the Bedford CHSLD residents’ committee, the FADOQ of the Richelieu-Yamaska region and the Bedford Pole economic relaunch committee. Caron accused Brome-Missisquoi MNA Isabelle Charest of having “chosen to abandon” the citizens of Bedford, stating that she and McGraw “have decided to take matters into our own hands and represent their voices.” About 50 people attended the press conference, including residents.
“We are five organizations working together for the same goal, which is to make the CIUSSS go back on its decision to cancel the expansion,” BPHC spokesperson Pierrette Messier-Peet said. “We worked on this project for years, only to be told at the last minute it wasn’t necessary – it’s a 180-degree turn by the government.”
Messier-Peet and a BPHC delegation plan to accompany Caron to the National Assembly. “We’re going to tell all of Quebec about what’s happening here; I’m persuaded that there are a lot of regions like ours that feel like they’ve been put on the back burner because resources are going to the cities.”
“This is a disaster for the people here. Seniors are relocated to Granby and even Sherbrooke, far away from their loved ones and support systems. Beyond the broken election promise, there is a persistent lack of humanity from this government,” Caron added. “I wanted to show my support for the people who have been working very hard to raise money and get involved. As a member of the opposition, I can’t make any promises, but I’ll keep hammering away at it.”
In a statement, Charest said she “saluted” the efforts of the BPHC and the foundation, which “show their attachment to their community.”
“Since the beginning of the summer, I have been following up with the ministries, my fellow ministers and the CIUSSS de l’Estrie to ensure that the change in direction of the project is indeed justified,” Charest said. “One thing is certain, the [CHSLD] will remain in Bedford.
She said Minister for Seniors’ Affairs Sonia Bélanger has asked that the CIUSSS meet with the foundation and with reporters to explain its decision. These two meetings are scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17. Her office has so far declined to meet with the BPHC.
No one from the foundation was available to comment further at press time.