The Regroupement québécois des Residences pour Vins (RQRA) fears a wave of closures by December 2024 if the government meets its deadline in applying new safety regulations.
Remember that 10 years ago the fire at the Résidence du Havre de L'Isle-Verte claimed 32 victims. Since this tragedy, many retirement homes are still not equipped with a sprinkler system and up to 170 of them may be forced to close their doors.
At QUB, Hans Brouillette, RQRA public affairs director, reiterated that “most [des résidences] will not be able to comply with this. The [lui] seems unrealistic.”
Hans Brouillette explains the situation in detail on Alexandre Dubé's microphone at the QUB:
According to the testimonies he receives, the owners report that, despite the financial support they received from the government, the grant can barely cover half of the cost of carrying out the work.
“We should have subsidized the installation of sprinklers 100% […]Existing housing is living space that is being lost. Especially in regions where there are small residential buildings,” added Mr. Brouillette.