Unreported, undisclosed wealth exceeding a million dollars discovered within the confines of a senior center's room.
Sizzling Seniors' Home Costs: $1M Per Room in Quebec's Projects, hey buddy! Check this out: In several Quebec senior care projects, the room price has skyrocketed, with some reaching an astounding $1.19 million! The highway to Sainte-Rose, Laval's Multi-Family Dwelling (MFD) is the most expensive piece of real estate on the block, with a whopping $85.5 million budget for 72 senior spots.
Other renovation projects for Elderly Housing Services Centers (CHSLDs) have followed suit. The CHSLD in Lac-Mégantic, for instance, is now $107.9 million, up from the initially announced $70 million in 2021. That equates to an average cost of $1.1 million per room. Yikes! The Treasury Board notes that the LEGO-like state of this CHSLD was less than satisfactory.
The MFD in Maniwaki has joined the party, racking up a cool $127.4 million budget for 100 spots. The delivery has been postponed, and a future delivery date hasn't been set yet.
The MFD in Montreal (ex-Nicolet CHSLD) has their finger on the pulse of cost escalation, with an estimated $266.7 million for 240 spots.
The MFD in Havre-Saint-Pierre has been experiencing delays since 2019. Their budget sits at $56.6 million for 48 spots, giving them one heck of a company bill - $1.18 million per room. Ouch! The planned delivery date, originally set for December 2022, has been pushed back to December 2025.
In a recent chat with Le Devoir, Senior Minister Sonia Bélanger, in between sips of her pinot noir, mentioned that MFDs have become the new wave for senior care in Quebec. She's betting on lower construction costs due to MFDs being built near Integrated Health and Social Services Centers (CISSS).
The horror stories about MFD delays don't end here: Quebec recently inaugurated their 40th MFD out of a promised 46 in Trois-Rivières. It seems like it's taking forever to build those golden years nest eggs.
Extra Insights:
- The Quebec government has pledged $318 million over five years to enhance senior care facilities[1].
- Healthcare and social services spending have increased significantly in the 2025-2026 Quebec budget[2].
- Federally, the Canadian government has boosted senior support through increased payments[4].
- Housing affordability measures proposed by federal parties might help make senior care options more accessible[5].
Despite these initiatives, it's high time we focused more on homecare services to keep our seniors comfy at home, as emphasized by senior advocacy groups[1].
- The cost of a room in some Quebec senior care projects has reached an alarming $1.19 million, such as the Multi-Family Dwelling (MFD) in Sainte-Rose, Laval.
- The CHSLD in Lac-Mégantic now costs $107.9 million, a steep increase from the initially announced $70 million in 2021, making the average cost per room $1.1 million.
- The MFD in Maniwaki has a budget of $127.4 million for 100 spots, with the delivery being postponed.
- The MFD in Montreal (ex-Nicolet CHSLD) has an estimated budget of $266.7 million for 240 spots.
- The MFD in Havre-Saint-Pierre has a budget of $56.6 million for 48 spots, equating to $1.18 million per room.
- Senior Minister Sonia Bélanger believes that MFDs will become the new wave for senior care in Quebec due to their potential lower construction costs near Integrated Health and Social Services Centers (CISSS).
- Delays in building MFDs have led to concerns about making senior care options more accessible, as highlighted by senior advocacy groups. The Canadian government has increased senior support, but housing affordability remains a concern, as discussed in federal parties' proposals.
