Families residing at Château Pierrefonds, a private seniors’ residence in Montreal’s West Island, are up in arms over significant increases in monthly care fees. They allege that assessments were conducted without their consent, resulting in unexpected additional charges for services they believe were already covered in their leases.
Several families have reported being informed of up to $1,500 per month in added care costs, with one resident initially facing a $1,500 hike, later reduced to $1,000. Mario Di Carlo, whose mother Maria Borsellino has been at the residence for four years, is among those questioning the validity of these assessments and the corresponding increase in costs.
Marie Petrossian, whose mother Takouhi Madjarian has resided at the facility for three years, expressed concerns over a staggering $4,500 raise, amounting to a 150% surge in care fees. The families feel that these increased costs are unjustified, especially when they see little to no additional services being provided in return.
The evaluation process, based on the Système de mesure de l’autonomie fonctionnelle (SMAF), has been contentious, with families disputing the accuracy and fairness of the assessments. While the residence argues that the assessments determine the level of care required for each resident, families claim that existing services, such as dressing, showering, and housekeeping, are already covered in their current agreements.
Adding to the complexity, the recent owners who took over in 2025 defended the fee increases by stating that additional staff and resources were necessary to address gaps in care. However, families remain unconvinced, with some seeking legal recourse and exploring options to secure affordable housing for their loved ones.
