Manoir Chomedey, Laval seniors' residence, stripped of its permit

The regional health authority for Laval is revoking the permit of a privately run seniors' residence, theManoir Chomedey, for failing to comply with fire safety measures.

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TheCentre intgr de sant et de services sociaux (CISSS) deLaval said it's the first time in Quebec that an institution's operating licence has been revoked for this reason.

The seniors' residence one of the largest in Lavalhouses about 150 elderly patients. Most will remain there until the end of July, when the CISSS's contract with Manoir Chomedey ends.

Most at risk to be moved in June

The health authority said until then, the Manoir Chomedey is obligated to deliver services. After that, residents may stay in the building, but the institution would be classified as an apartment building not as a long-term care facility for senior citizens.

The CISSS will remove 29 residents with cognitive difficulties in June. They'll be transferred to a new institution on Lvesque Boulevard.

The CISSS and Laval's fire department will be monitoring the residence closely in the coming weeks, to make sure the elderly people living there are safe.

Health officials will also meet residents to inform them of the safety concerns and help them find a new place to live, if they choose to leave.

'It's going to be bad'

Mario Plouffe, who moved into the Manoir Chomedey five years ago, said he has no idea where he'll move. So far, he's only heard rumours of the residence's licence being revoked. He's waiting for official word on the next step.

"It's going to be bad for me," said Plouffe, who at 98 still drives his own car and hits the golf course regularly.

"I have parking in the garage here," said Plouffe. "I have everything I need to be happy."

Still, Plouffe said, he won't put up a fuss if he's told he can't stay in the apartment he shares with his cat.

"There's no point in being mad," Plouffe said, although he added he isn't aware of any problems with the building.

Too late to get back permit

The CISSS has been demanding since December 2013 that Manoir Chomedey comply with fire safety measures, including installing smoke detectors and replacing broken ones, drawing up a fire safety plan and holding fire drills.

There have been several inspections since then, and CISSSde Laval officials said the home's management vowed to undertake the repairs and make changes, however, that never happened.

The head of fire prevention for Laval, Andr St-Hilaire, said Monday that for years his departmenthas been exertingpressure on the building's owner, Toronto businessman Adel Kirloss,to improve fire safety at the building.

"Unfortunately, there are still some owners who have not learned the lessons that came out of the fire in L'Isle-Verte," St-Hilaire said.

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In 2014, a fire broke out inside a nursing home in L'Isle-Verte, Que., killing 32 seniors and injuring 15 others.

The CISSS said management at theManoir Chomedeywas warned in November that the residence'slicence could be revoked.

It saidat this point,even ifthe repairs are carried out,the residence will not get its permit back.