Patients' rights advocate files police complaint for criminal neglect over treatment in Quebec's long-term care homes
MONTREAL -
A patients’ rights advocate has filed a police complaint against the Quebec government.
Paul Brunet, from the Council for the Protection of Patients, alleges the treatment seniors received living in long-term care homes was criminal neglect.
In testimony at the coroner’s inquiry into CHSLDs in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunet said thousands of lives could have been saved, but instead, seniors were ignored, neglected and sacrificed.
Brunet's police complaint is directed to Quebec public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda and the former health minister Danielle McCann, saying they had an obligation to act, but they underestimated the risk.
In the complaint, Brunet said they failed to warn people about the elevated danger for those living in seniors’ homes.
He said after the World Health Organization issued a state of emergency at the end of January, the elderly were at risk, but the provincial government was slow to get protective medical gear and didn't regularly test seniors.
“Mr. Arruda said on the 22nd of January 2020 that Quebec is ready for the pandemic. It was not true. We were running around like chickens to buy masks and other personal protection items. We were not ready at all,” he said.
It also didn't allow caregivers into homes, which he claims was a serious error.
Brunet said this kind of recklessness contributed directly to thousands of deaths.
The complaint was filed with the Surete du Quebec in September of this year and Brunet testified Thursday morning, saying he wouldn't speak publically about it unless he was testifying under oath, which is why the complaint has just come to light now.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fragile ceasefire between Israel, Gaza militants holding
A fragile ceasefire deal to end nearly three days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza held into Monday morning -- a sign the latest round of violence may have abated.
Occupancy exceeded: Banff, Alta., home possessed more than 40 beds
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
China extends threatening military exercises around Taiwan
China said Monday it was extending threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns about the potential for conflict in a region crucial to global trade.
Air Canada denying passenger compensation claims for staff shortages, citing safety
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
Summer of heat waves: A list of some temperature records broken in Canada this year
Canada's summer of heat waves continues this weekend, with warnings issued in four provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at some of the heat records broken already this year in Canada.
Help on the way for central Newfoundland fire Premier says is largest since 1961
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
Hope for 'significant change' in all of sports following Hockey Canada board chair's resignation: lawyer
The recent resignation of Hockey Canada's board chair could be a sign of further departures to come, says Simona Jellinek, a sexual abuse and assault lawyer.
Multiple people in hospital, suspect shot after machete attack on Vancouver's Granville Street
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Ship carrying grain from Ukraine arrives in Istanbul
The first of the ships to leave Ukraine under a deal to unblock grain supplies amid the threat of a global food crisis arrived at its destination in Turkey on Monday.
Toronto
-
Here are 5 things to keep an eye out for as Ontario MPPs return to Queen’s Park
Here's what you need to know as Ontario's politicians return to Queen's Park.
-
Toronto is hiring 15,000 people to work the 2022 municipal election
The City of Toronto is looking to hire 15,000 people to work the 2022 municipal election.
-
City extends hours at 7 public pools amid heat warnings
The City of Toronto has extended the hours of seven city-run pools in an effort to help residents cool off amid heat warnings issued by Environment Canada.
Atlantic
-
Long-time Liberal MLA offers up seat to new Liberal leader Susan Holt
One of the longest serving MLA’s currently in the New Brunswick legislature says he was the one to offer new Liberal leader Susan Holt his seat should she choose to run in a by-election before the next provincial election.
-
Help on the way for central Newfoundland fire Premier says is largest since 1961
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
-
Man, 72, disappears while travelling home to Quebec from New Brunswick: police
According to police, Lucien Dubois was last seen leaving a residence on Boom Road in his vehicle Friday. He was later reported missing Sunday afternoon.
London
-
London police investigating Sunday morning homicide
London police are investigating a homicide Sunday after a man was discovered in east London with serious injuries, but later died in hospital.
-
London-Middlesex under heat warning: Environment Canada
Most of southern Ontario currently finds itself sweltering under a weekend heat warning, and London-Middlesex is no exception, as temperatures are expected to reach 40 C with the humidex.
-
Winning Lotto 649 ticket worth $6M sold somewhere in Ontario
Ontario residents will want to check their Lotto 649 tickets carefully this morning.
Northern Ontario
-
House fire on Maple Street in Sudbury's downtown.
Police and fire services are on the scene of a house fire on Maple Street in Sudbury's downtown.
-
Manitoulin Transports rescues wildlife rescue centres across Ontario
Manitoulin Transport has been delivering, numerous skids of dry pet food and cleaning supplies to Ontario Wildlife Rescue Centres across the province at no charge since the beginning of the year.
-
North Bay Fire Service looking to add more females
Currently there is only one female firefighters on staff in North Bay.
Calgary
-
2 homes in northeast Calgary damaged in fire
Calgary firefighters were called to a two-alarm fire in a northeast community on Sunday and officials say two homes were damaged.
-
Occupancy exceeded: Banff, Alta., home possessed more than 40 beds
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
-
Remains of missing Medicine Hat man found: RCMP
The remains of a missing Medicine Hat man have been found, RCMP has confirmed.
Kitchener
-
Old Marina fire, Elora storm, real estate prices: Top stories of the week
The aftermath of the Old Marina Restaurant fire, a storm that tore through Elora, and the continued decreased of real estate prices in Waterloo Region round out the top stories of the week.
-
'It's pretty intense today': Kitchener residents staying cool during heat warning
Kitchener residents found different ways to cool off during a heat warning on Sunday.
-
Suspects at large, vehicles reportedly hit while fleeing from Brantford police
Two male suspects are at large who Brantford police say hit a number of vehicles while fleeing officers.
Vancouver
-
'Angry and insulted': B.C. nurse speaks out after workplace assault, racist remark
A nurse working in one of B.C.'s short-staffed hospitals is speaking out after she says she was assaulted by a patient who made a racist remark.
-
West Vancouver fire engulfs home, prompts road closure on major route
Smoke from a fire that engulfed a home in West Vancouver could be seen from kilometres away Sunday afternoon, as crews closed a major road to fight the blaze.
-
'We just want to go home': Evacuee overwhelmed as wildfire spreads in B.C.'s south Okanagan
Marty Marchand is one of the hundreds of Olalla, B.C. residents who were ordered to leave their homes this week because of the aggressive, out-of-control Keremeos Creek wildfire.
Edmonton
-
Suspicious death in northeast Edmonton under investigation
Edmonton police are investigating after a woman died and a second person was injured following an incident in northeast Edmonton Saturday.
-
Semi-rollover west of Edmonton causes traffic delays
Traffic was delayed on Highway 16 for hours after a semi-rollover near Innisfree.
-
Police searching for Wetaskiwin teen
Wetaskiwin RCMP are looking for a teenage girl who has been missing for several weeks.
Windsor
-
Motorcyclist deceased after crashing into tree: Chatham-Kent police
A motorcyclist has died following a collision late Saturday night in Orford Township, Ont.
-
Windsor to swelter as heat warning issued for region
As most of southern Ontario currently bakes under a weekend heat warning, the Windsor area will be no exception, as temperatures are expected to reach 41 C with the humidex on Sunday.
-
Thousands gather for Windsor Pride Fest Parade
Windsor’s Ottawa Street was overflowing with colour, smiles and pride Sunday as the annual Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Parade returned to the city for the first time in two years.
Regina
-
Two-year-old child found safe in Regina, Amber Alert ends
A two-year-old child from Regina has been found safe, following an alleged abduction and Amber Alert.
-
Apple Maps to go forward with image collection of several Sask. communities
Sask. residents living in the province’s major centres may witness some surveying being done by Apple Maps in the coming weeks.
-
'Culture all around': Stories and knowledge passed down at Indigenous Village
Among the hustle and bustle of the Queen City Ex in Regina this weekend, there was a man telling stories.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Bus trip cancellations expected to continue this week, OC Transpo warns
OC Transpo is advising customers to prepare for more bus trip cancellations today and this week, as the transit service deals with a staffing shortage caused by summer vacations and sick leave absences.
-
Ottawa delivery drivers still struggling with the cost of fuel as gas drops to the cheapest price in months
The price of gas has gone down by almost 40 cents in Ottawa since June. But it’s back up seven cents on Sunday and those who drive for a living are spending hundreds of dollars on fuel every week.
-
Ottawa could see up to 100 mm of rain by Monday night
A heat warning and a rainfall warning remain in effect for the city of Ottawa, with Environment Canada warning the capital could see up to 100 mm of rain by Monday night.
Saskatoon
-
'We're overwhelmed': Thousands attend Saskatoon Filipino Music and Food Fest
When Chris Rod and other fellow organizers first met three years ago to discuss what would become The Saskatchewan Filipino Music and Food Street Fest, he never imagined what he saw all weekend at Kiwanis Memorial Park.
-
Two-year-old child found safe in Regina, Amber Alert ends
A two-year-old child from Regina has been found safe, following an alleged abduction and Amber Alert.
-
Body discovered on Ahtahakoop Cree Nation likely connected to missing person: Sask. RCMP
Sask. RCMP received a report that the body of an adult man had been discovered on Aug 6. on the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.