Ten years after a fire claimed the lives of 32 people in a senior residential complex in Quebec, the province’s private seniors’ residences are still facing challenges in fulfilling a requirement to install sprinkler systems. The 2014 fire at the Résidence du Havre in L’Isle-Verte, Que.—nearly 200 kilometres northeast of Quebec City—resulted in a directive from the Quebec coroner’s office for all seniors’ residences to have sprinklers, with exceptions for institutions housing fewer than 10 people.
The provincial government extended the deadline to Dec. 2, 2024, but as of the end of last year, 353 of Quebec’s 1,413 private seniors’ residences had still not installed sprinklers. A significant number of these non-compliant residences are smaller in size, comprising just 4.5 percent of existing seniors’ residence units, though representing a quarter of all residences. While 184 of the non-compliant residences could qualify for an exemption, the other 169 face the risk of becoming non-compliant in December, putting their operating status at stake.
The main barrier to compliance with the sprinkler installation requirement is the cost. Despite the government offering financial aid, the installation packages often fall short of the true cost, particularly in rural areas. The incremental expenses incurred by contractors for travel, accommodation, and meal costs, along with additional work needed to connect to municipal water networks, contribute to the challenges.
Rising costs due to regulation changes have posed a significant burden on the industry, with increased labor costs, inflation, and insurance premiums exacerbating the challenges. The inability to pass along increased costs to consumers due to rent control regulations and seniors’ limited ability to pay has further strained the financial outlook for many smaller residences.
Hans Brouillette, public affairs director of an organization representing privately owned seniors residences in Quebec, voiced concerns over the impact of these costs on the ability to maintain and finance operations, warning that closures were inevitable as a result. While recognizing the value of the safety measures, concerns were raised about the financial implications and the ability of residences to sustain the costs, emphasizing that the state should have provided full funding for sprinkler installation from the beginning.