Quebec’s ambitious maisons des aînés (MDA) initiative faces mounting challenges regarding construction expenses, vacant rooms, and high-profile safety issues, nearly four years after the opening of the first facility in Sherbrooke, according to official data and stakeholder reports.
According to data from Santé Québec, the 44 houses currently operating across the province contain a total of 3,384 rooms, built at an average cost of 800 000 $ per room. Marguerite Blais, l’ex-ministre à l’origine du concept, acknowledged in an interview that the financial expenditures have become extraordinary. Meanwhile, the construction of a second 72-room facility in Laval has been placed on hold to lower expenses, while researchers like Philippe Voyer from the Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ) suggest future projects should target a cost of around 300 000 $ la chambre while retaining communal living spaces and favorable staff ratios.
Staffing Shortages Leave Dozens of Rooms Empty Across Quebec
Despite thousands of seniors waiting for long-term care placements, staffing shortages left 96 rooms empty across the province’s network in July, according to a compilation by Le Journal. Major vacancies were reported in several regions, including 36 unused rooms in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 12 in Carignan, 12 in Roberval, and 36 in Saint-Hilarion in Charlevoix. Santé Québec Montérégie-Centre stated that because these represent brand-new spaces rather than relocated CHSLD residents, teams must be recruited, trained, and integrated gradually. In Roberval, ongoing labor challenges explain the 12 empty rooms despite the facility being open for three years, while officials in Charlevoix anticipate that an incoming cohort of international students will help open additional spaces.
Did You Know?
François Legault originally proposed the maisons des aînés in 2018 to replace traditional CHSLDs, and by 2026, the province had established 44 facilities totaling 3,384 spaces.
Debate Over Care Standards and System Disparities
Labor representatives and advocacy groups have raised concerns that the new houses have created a two-tiered system for vulnerable seniors. Stéphanie Goulet of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) argued that the setup divides the population into fortunate residents who secure a spot in a Maison des aînés and those who end up in older CHSLD facilities. While MDAs were designed with 12-room modules, kitchens, and recreational spaces to provide a less institutional environment, critics note that rising healthcare demands have sometimes forced traditional hospital-like CHSLD practices into the newer buildings. At the same time, Santé Québec reports that more than 3,700 Quebecers are waiting for a CHSLD placement, and recent figures show over 2400 seniors waiting in hospitals due to a lack of available beds.
Expert Insight:
The tension between high capital costs and ongoing staffing deficits highlights the operational trade-offs facing large-scale public care models. While researchers like Philippe Voyer advocate for preserving community-style living areas and high staff-to-resident ratios, balancing financial sustainability with specialized care requirements remains a central challenge for provincial health authorities.
Coroner Investigation Following Fatality at Drummondville Facility
Operational safety protocols came under scrutiny following a fatal accident at the Maison des aînés in Drummondville. In a 2025 report, coroner Martin Sansfaçon concluded that the death of a 76-year-old resident with fragile balance—who died after being struck by a common-area door—should never have occurred under such circumstances. The coroner noted that the specific swinging door lacked a window and that its motion detector failed to perceive the resident’s presence because she stood very close to it. In response, Santé Québec stated that automated swinging doors across the network have been cataloged, analyzed, and addressed through a newly developed corrective plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rooms are currently available in the maisons des aînés network?
According to data from Santé Québec, there are 3,384 rooms spread across 44 maisons des aînés in Quebec.
Why were nearly 100 rooms left vacant during the summer?
A compilation by Le Journal found that 96 rooms remained empty due to staffing shortages, requiring gradual recruitment, training, and integration of new teams.
What factors contributed to the fatal incident at the Drummondville facility?
According to a 2025 coroner’s report by Martin Sansfaçon, a 76-year-old resident was struck by an automatic swinging door that lacked a window, and the motion detector failed to register her presence.
How will future long-term care developments balance rising infrastructure costs with the need for personalized care spaces?
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