The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) says 25 of 31 residents from Rose Manor in Fort Frances have found alternative accommodations while the apartment complex is repaired.
They have been housed at a local hotel since a fatal fire in September.
That stay, which has been funded through insurance, is coming to an end later this month as the available funding runs out.
The DRRSB has been working vigorously to find other places for the residents.
Staff have now focused on one-on-one housing plans with the tenants who have not yet secured housing.
“The one-on-one meetings have been seeing results,” states Sandra Weir, Housing and Homelessness Prevention Manager, in a release.
“We recognize that finding the right housing solution can take time, particularly when people have different needs, preferences and financial circumstances. We are grateful to the landlords and property owners who have already come forward to help, and we continue to look for suitable options for the remaining tenants.”
In the meantime, a GoFundMe campaign to help residents continues.
It was started by Melissa Pearson and Joanne Smith, after Pearson had attended a recent tenants meeting.
“Many of them are seniors and they’re living on like limited incomes and their stories, they really stuck with me,” says Pearson.
It’s a devastating situation for these people, and I just know how generous our community is and how we rally around people in their time of need, and this group of folks needs our help and support.”
Pearson says the money will first be used to help the tenants with accommodation costs.
That could include helping to cover the cost of them staying in their hotel rooms if necessary.
Pearson says she has also received inquiries about help residents replace belongings destroyed by the fire.
“We have received a very gracious donation from the Window and Door Store of a storage unit,” says Pearson.
“What we plan to do is collect items for residents. I’ve had a few people reach out to me and say that they have items that are gently used, in good condition, that they would be happy to donate.”
Some of those items are already in storage and will be distributed when tenants return to their apartments.
The DRRSB says it could be several months before they can determine when that will take place.
Anyone with available accommodations can contact the DRRSB at 807-274-5349.
Click here for information on how to support the GoFundMe campaign.
The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB says about a third of residents from Rose Manor have found new housing.
About 30 were moved to a Fort Frances hotel following September’s fire at the seniors’ apartment complex.
Funding to keep them is set to expire next month.
Since the fire, DRRSB staff have been working directly with affected tenants to identify other housing opportunities and provide them with other supports.
It states that 35 housing opportunities have been identified for the roughly 30 residents.
“Progress is being made, and staff remain focused on helping tenants access available housing options,” states Sandra Weir, Housing and Homelessness Prevention Manager, in a release.
“We continue to work with tenants, landlords, community agencies, and government partners to identify opportunities and prevent homelessness.”
In the meantime, a GoFundMe campaign has now been launched to help the residents with any expenses.
A goal of $40,000 has been established.
Organizers state the priority is to help residents find secure, safe accommodations and with things as moving expenses, deposits, transportation and other essential costs.
Any remaining funds will be used to replace belongings.
As of late Friday night, more than $3,300 has been raised. Click here.
Visitor restrictions have been lifted at Rainycrest Long Term Care.
They were put in place last Friday because a gastrointestinal outbreak affected the Fort Frances home’s West wing.
Riverside Health Care has now declared the outbreak over.
“Our detailed safety procedures and infection prevention and control practices remain in place to help ensure the health and safety of our staff, the community and those within our care,” reads a Riverside release.
It still asks visitors to stay away if they are experiencing signs of illness for the protection of staff and residents.
The District of Rainy River Services Board is reaching out for help for those displaced by last week’s fire at Rose Manor in Fort Frances.
Nearly 30 residents have temporary accommodations at a local motel, but are limited to what they can cook.
Community Engagement Coordinator Brenda Witherspoon is hoping groups, organizations and individuals can lend a hand in providing a meal or two.
“They have a fridge and a microwave, so it’s really difficult to cook warm meals and things,” says Witherspoon.
“So we just thought that if we could offer something warm a couple of times a week, like a lasagna or chilli or something, that we can help supplement their meals.”
Witherspoon initially issued a plea through social media earlier this week.
About half a dozen families and organizations responded.
It is still uncertain when residents will be able to return home, so Witherspoon is approaching the need for meal support day-by-day, but planning far enough ahead in case the situation changes.
“I’m doing like a week or two out. I’m kind of just booking in that way, but we’re really still at that beginning part,” says Witherspoon.
Witherspoon says they are not accepting food items because of the lack of appliances and the limited space the residents have in their rooms.
There has been support in other ways.
The Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association provided each resident with a $250 Walmart gift card to purchase things they needed.
Some of the local businesses have offered discounts on such things as clothing and other essential items.
Witherspoon says the residents are doing okay, but have offered them counselling services.
“We’re addressing their physical needs, but there are also emotional needs,” says Witherspoon.
“We were able to offer like a circle that they could just get together, talk about their experiences and debrief because it’s pretty traumatic.”
Anyone who is willing and able to assist in providing meals can contact the District of Rainy River Services Board directly at (807) 274-5349 and select reception.
Provincial Police and the District of Rainy River Services Board now confirm that a resident of Rose Manor in Fort Frances has died in Tuesday morning’s fire.
Provincial Police identify the victim as a 92-year-old.
The District of Rainy River Services Board, which owns the senior’s apartment complex, also confirms the person was a tenant of the building.
The victim was found inside the building by members of the Fort Frances Fire Rescue Service and pronounced dead at the scene.
The person’s name and gender have not been released.
The Services Board is extending its condolences to the tenant’s family and says, out of respect, no other personal information will be released.
The cause of the fire has not been revealed.
OPP, Fort Frances Fire and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office continue to investigate, with OPP’s Crime Unit also involved.
Other tenants who were evacuated have found alternative accommodations with family and friends.
Some are being housed in local hotels.
The District of Rainy River Services Board says it is uncertain when they will be able to return.
“On behalf of the Board, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and neighbours of the tenant we have lost,” states Deb Ewald, Chair of the Services Board, in a release.
“Our thoughts are also with the Rose Manor residents and everyone affected by this tragic event. We are grateful to all those who have assisted in the response and in supporting residents during this difficult time.”
The Service Board notes that staff and crisis-support workers continue to provide direct support to the tenants.
Tax refunds have been sent to about 20,000 low-income seniors in Nova Scotia.
The province says the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is only offered in Nova Scotia, with the average refund at about $1,532 for a total of $30.6 million.
Payments were sent out last week.
“Everyone is concerned about affordability and, for our low-income seniors, every dollar makes a difference,” said Seniors Minister Barb Adams.
Seniors who get the GIS and pay provincial income tax are eligible to receive a refund on their provincial tax.
The number of seniors has more than doubled from 8,410 in 2020 to roughly 20,000 in 2025. The province says it’s due to an aging population and changes to that allows more seniors to work while receiving benefits.
New Brunswick’s government wants to create 360 new long-term care beds.
To do it, they have put out a call for expressions of interest.
It’s part of the province’s recently released seniors and long-term care plan.
“Expanding long-term care capacity is an important step reducing pressure on our hospitals and improving access to care for seniors,” Seniors Minister Lyne Chantal Boudreau said in a release.
“By creating 360 new beds, we will help reduce pressure on hospitals while improving quality of life for seniors and their families.”
Various types of projects may be considered.
That includes new facility construction, expansions and renovations to existing facilities, and even converting existing beds from one form of care to another.
The government said that sort of flexibility is meant to create beds as efficiently as possible.
Expressions of interest will be evaluated based on several factors, including project feasibility and readiness, need for beds in a geographic area, and project costs and timelines.
The process is also non-binding, and no projects will proceed until a formal exploration agreement is reached.
A daughter is blaming long-term care facility Harbour View Haven of neglect resulting in the death of her 94-year-old mother after she was found in critically ill condition, in a case she says doctors told her “could have all been avoided.”
“I called my mother every day. Even when we went down south every year, I still called her faithfully.”
On June 6 of 2026, Darlene Joudrey says she called her mother, noting that she was a little bit confused, her speech was a little slurred, and that she just wanted to sleep.
Joudrey says she received a letter from Harbour View Haven the day before alerting family of residents that a flu was going around the home and they were not allowed to visit until further notice. She says her mother had caught the flu.
“From June 6 to June 8, it was the same thing when I called her,” says Joudrey. “After I spoke with Mom, I always called the nurses and said, ‘My mother doesn’t seem right,’ and they kept telling me, ‘Oh no, your mama’s okay.’”
Joudrey says she received a call from the home on the morning of June 9. “They said Mom was up all night and was restless, but she was sleeping now. I asked if visiting was open, and they said no.”
Then, Joudrey says a friend had messaged her saying she was there visiting her mom.
“I had just been told no visitors were allowed,” Joudrey says, surprised. “I called again and was told the same thing, but I had a feeling something was not right.”
Despite staff saying the home was closed to visitors, she decided to go check on her mom.
“I went down that day and found her not alert, laying crossways on the bed. I said, ‘Mom, are you awake?’ There was no response whatsoever.”
Left photo: Violet Eisner with grandchildren at the end of May 2026. Right photo: Violet Eisner on June 9, 2026 when Darlene Joudrey found her. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Joudrey says she immediately notified the nurses that something was wrong.
“I told the nurse, ‘My mother needs medical attention. I want an ambulance called.’ She was hot, clammy, and not alert. The ambulance got there within 10 minutes. She had a temperature of 103, was having trouble breathing, and they took her to the South Shore Regional Hospital,” she explains.
“The doctor couldn’t believe someone was brought in from a nursing home in that kind of shape. She had pneumonia in both lungs, had aspirated vomit, and was severely dehydrated.”
Joudrey says hospital staff put her mother on IV fluids, strong antibiotics, and oxygen from Tuesday through Friday, but that she remained non-responsive the whole time.
“Friday, they said she wasn’t improving. I said, ‘Mom, squeeze my hand if you know I’m here,’ but she didn’t.”
Violet Eisner when Darlene Joudrey found her at Harbour View Haven. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
On Saturday, Joudrey says the doctor told her, ‘We’ve done everything. She was left too long at the nursing home. She’s not going to come out of this.’”
“He suggested removing the oxygen. I gave my consent, and within 15 minutes she was gone.”
After saying goodbye, Joudrey says, “We met with the nursing home, and they said my mother was ‘fine.’ I said, ‘She had a temperature of 103 and wasn’t alert. Why didn’t you call an ambulance?’
“They said it’s not their protocol.”
Joudrey says she is not interested in taking legal action at this time. “I’m not looking for money. I just want to make people aware that this is not right.”
She says her mother had been living in the home since October of 2024.
“When my mom went in there, I thought she would be cared for, have meals, and be safe. But during the strike, none of them got a bath for six weeks,” she says, frustrated. “I supported the nurses.”
Joudrey recounts the past few weeks and says “there was a decline during the strike. One day her bedding was so dirty I asked for sheets to change it myself.”
The long-term care strike began April 13, taking over 35 care homes and 3,600 workers across the province off the job for over 8 weeks.
“Cleanliness in the home was poor during the strike. Staff hours were cut, so less work was getting done.”
Joudrey notes that she noticed her mother’s health started declining following weeks of understaffed care at the facility due to the strike. However, at the time of Joudrey’s 911 call, she says, “They can’t use the excuse that the nurses were still on strike because the nurses was all back to work the day before that, so they were fully staffed.”
She pleads, “This was neglect. Anyone going into her room should have noticed a 103 fever. Why weren’t they watching her closer? Why didn’t they call me?”
“They only called to say she had been up all night and was now sleeping, but the shape I found her in, I don’t believe that at all,” says Joudrey.
“The CEO has never returned my calls to this day.”
In a statement to Acadia News, the home’s CEO Tim McAuley, says:
“Harbour View Haven extends our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of their loved one. We recognize this is a difficult time for the family.
Out of respect for the privacy of our residents and their families, we cannot comment on the care or circumstances of any individual resident.
We take any concerns about resident care seriously, and when they are raised, we review them through established processes. Harbour View Haven, like all long-term care homes in Nova Scotia, operates under provincial standards intended to support safe and accountable care.
Our focus every day is on providing compassionate care in a safe and respectful environment for all residents.”
Tim McAuley, CEO
Acadia News reached out to Nova Scotia Health representatives regarding Jourdrey’s concerns. Brendan Elliot, the Senior Advisor for Public Affairs, Content, & Media Relations, says in a statement:
“The Nova Scotia Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) prevents us from commenting on details relating to an individual’s specific health information or their care.”
Brendan Elliott, Senior Advisor Public Affairs, Content & Media Relations
Joudrey says she reached out to the provinces Protection for Persons in Care department to file a report of neglect.
“The case worker called me, and I said to her ‘I’ve got pictures of the shape that I found her in.’ And she said, ‘you keep those pictures. We will be investigating Harbor View Haven.’”
Applications are now open for the Seniors’ Property Tax Rebate.
The Minister of Service Nova Scotia, Jill Balser, says “The Property Tax Rebate for Seniors is one of the many programs government funds to help make life more affordable for people living on a low income.”
The rebate provides half of the previous year’s property taxes, up to $800 according to government officials.
To be eligible, people must:
have paid their 2025 municipal residential property taxes in full
have their name on the property title
be eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Guaranteed Income Supplement – Allowance from Service Canada.
Those who received the rebate last year will get an application form by mail. Forms are also available online, at Access Nova Scotia centres and at MLA offices.
Applications are open until December 31, and seniors can also use the form to apply for the 2026-27 Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
Balser says she encourages all eligible seniors to take advantage of the provincial rebate program, noting that the process is “easy to do”.
The government also wants seniors to be aware that rebates such as this one are often cited in scam emails or texts that ask for personal information. The Province will never email, text or call citizens asking for personal information, such as banking information or social insurance numbers.
