‘We implore you to reconsider’

Shelburne Municipal Council asked to take another look before turning to privatization of Roseway Manor

Public concerns and questions over the privatization of Roseway Manor through a tendering process to a forprofit entity were brought to the Shelburne Municipal Council table on June 22.

“There can be little debate that the future of Roseway Manor is one of great public interest and seems to have captured the attention of the provincial government as well,” said Timothy Gillespie, who along with Roy O'Donnell and Darren Stoddard were representing the Protect Our Seniors community group as they made a presentation.

“The local public interest is amply evidenced by the more than 1,900 people who signed petitions demanding that there be substantial public engagement and consultation prior to movement forward on the Municipality's sudden decision to tender the Manor for sale to a for-profit entity,” said Gillespie.

The long-term care facility has been a municipal corporation since it was opened in 1976, owned and operated by the towns of Shelburne and Lockeport and the Municipality of Shelburne. The three municipal units have been planning to divest themselves of Roseway Manor for a couple of years.

In 2021, municipal councils for the three units voted in favour of transferring Roseway

Manor Incorporated and all its assets to an independent and newly incorporated notfor-profit organization – not to be owned or controlled by the municipal units. That decision was rescinded this spring, with approval being given instead for the transfer of ownership of Roseway Manor to a private entity through a tender process, working with the province of Nova Scotia “to determine which party completes the task, in the best interest” of the municipal units.

The concerns and questions brought forth at a public meeting in Shelburne on

April 30 about the decision were echoed in the Protect Our Seniors presentation.

“It appears the best interests of the residents was paramount to the councils in 2021, but in 2022 the best interests of the municipalities seem more important than that of the residents,” said O'Donnell.

“A private, for-profit facility seems to be the preference of most councillors, many of whom have never served on the Roseway Manor board of directors, nor have an informed knowledge of the operation of the facility," he said. "After 46 years of a not-for-profit facility, we are entitled to know why councillors are insisting on selling Roseway Manor to a private corporation when there are other options.”

Stoddard brought forth concerns concerning the benefits and liabilities of forprofit and not-for-profit organizations.

“When comparing forprofit vs non-profit, it is very simple, shareholders take precedence over residents and Roseway Manor cannot afford such a colossal change,” he said.

“Roseway Manor currently has a van that is equipped to take clients with mobility issues to public events and around the community. Surf Lodge in Lockeport which is a for-profit facility does not," Stoddard said. "Many for-profit facilities in the province charge residents for things like bed pads. Residents are given a certain limit, if that limit is exceeded, they are responsible for paying for more out of their pocket.”

The lack of public consultation by the three units before making the decision to divest themselves of Roseway Manor was an issue brought up by Gillespie.

"We have all been schooled that democracy is based on trust. The result of ignoring the obvious in this situation is instead the development of public mistrust of council, staff and the entire municipal deliberative process,” he Gillespie.

“Irrespective of the outcome of this matter, the failure to take seriously the obligation to consult with the citizens you have been elected to serve – especially on matters so important to the health, welfare and wellbeing of our most vulnerable neighbors, friends and family – borders on contempt and will be remembered here for some time," he added. “We leave with you the names of approximately 1,900 other citizens who also implore you to reconsider.

Warden Penny Smith said council will address the issues raised in the presentation at a future meeting.