This week the Municipality of the District of Guysborough announced that it had sold the two long-term care facilities in the municipality — Seaside Manor in Canso and Milford Haven Home for Special Care in Guysborough – to GEM Health Care.
After the regular council meeting adjourned on Wednesday night, Warden Vernon Pitts told the
media that the MODG had been thinking about selling the facilities for the past eight years and had entered into negotiations with GEM approximately three years ago.
Pitts said the MODG thought GEM was the best potential buyer; the company operates other homes in this province and in Ontario.
However, a recent CBC article states that SEIU Healthcare, the union representing front-line workers in Ontario, filed complaints last spring with police in Toronto and Peel Region against three employers – including Downsview Long Term Care Centre operated by GEM — alleging criminal negligence and failure to provide adequate protective equipment to staff. A claim denied by the company in the article.
When asked about this situation Pitts said comparing the situation in Ontario to Nova Scotia was like comparing apples to oranges. Facilities operated by GEM in Nova Scotia had run well throughout the pandemic.
The deal was signed last Sunday. Pitts says they have been assured by GEM all positions at the two homes will be retained.