By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban
A case of alleged elder abuse has emerged in Montreal’s West Island, where the former proprietor of a Beaconsfield senior care facility stands accused of poisoning and assaulting vulnerable residents under her care.
In a case that first came to light through an extensive police investigation, Pierrefonds resident Pramela Kooblall, 66, faces an array of criminal charges related to her operation of Résidence Alps, a private care facility that operated on Beaconsfield Boulevard between 2015 and 2023.
Montreal police investigators allege that between January and October 2023, Kooblall engaged in a pattern of abuse that included administering toxic substances to residents, physical assault, and failing to provide essential care. The investigation has resulted in nine criminal charges, including two counts of administering poison “with intent to aggrieve or annoy,” three assault charges — one involving a weapon — and three counts of failing to provide the necessities of life.
Among the most concerning allegations is the charge of deliberately falsifying medical documentation — a serious offence that raises questions about the potential scope of the alleged misconduct and the ability to track residents’ true medical conditions.
The timing of these allegations has drawn attention to Quebec’s senior care facility inspection process. While a 2022 CNESST inspection found no irregularities at Résidence Alps, the contrast between those findings and the current criminal charges raises questions about the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms for small-scale senior care facilities.
Résidence Alps, which specialized in long-term care for predominantly autonomous seniors, operated as a small-scale facility where residents were meant to be largely independent. However, according to workplace safety documents, by 2022 some residents required assistance with basic daily activities, including bathroom visits.
Kooblall’s lawyer has indicated their client will not comment on the pending charges. The matter is scheduled to return to the Montreal courthouse in June, when Kooblall must declare whether she opts for trial by judge and jury or judge alone.
The case emerges against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about Quebec’s senior care system.
The devastating events at Residence Herron during the COVID-19 pandemic, where 47 residents died in the first wave, exposed critical vulnerabilities in the oversight of senior care facilities. That particular case, of which The Suburban published award-winning investigative reports, resulted in a $5.5 million settlement. Meanwhile, broader concerns about oversight of private senior care facilities persist, particularly regarding smaller operations that may fall under the radar.
This latest incident has reignited discussions about the need for enhanced oversight of private senior care facilities. In January 2024, the Superior Court of Quebec authorized a class action regarding the management of CHSLDs during the first two waves of COVID-19, but this current case suggests that challenges in protecting Quebec’s most vulnerable seniors extend beyond the pandemic period. n