Foyer des Pionniers expansion will bring 12 much-needed long-term care beds to the north
HEARST — Construction of a new 12-bed addition is underway at Foyer des Pionniers, a long-term care home in the district of Cochrane. This is part of the Ontario government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
“Congratulations to Foyer des Pionniers on their ground-breaking for an upgraded, modernized addition to their home. Our government is fixing long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today marks a significant milestone for the district of Cochrane and brings more beds where they are urgently needed in northern Ontario.”
“This new 12-bed addition to Foyer des Pionniers brings much-needed support to our vibrant Francophone community in northern Ontario,” said Natalia Kusendova, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Francophone Affairs. “The culturally appropriate services Foyer des Pionniers offers to the Francophone community is another step in our government’s commitment to a diverse and equitable province for all.”
Once completed, the expansion will provide 12 new beds, for a total of 79 safe, modern long-term care beds. Foyer des Pionniers features design improvements, including larger resident common areas and air conditioning throughout the home. The design is centred around ‘resident home areas’ to create more intimate and familiar living spaces for up to 32 residents, with dining and activity areas, lounges and bedrooms. The new addition is expected to be completed and welcoming its first residents in summer 2024.
Foyer des Pionniers is adjacent to the Hôpital Notre-Dame Hospital in Hearst and is part of a campus of care, which helps integrate the long-term care home into the broader health care system and ensures residents can conveniently connect to the care they need. The home helps Ontario address the growing demand for long-term care, which has increased wait times for beds and contributed to hallway health care.
Foyer des Pionniers offers culturally appropriate services to the Francophone community. The home is licensed to and operated by Foyer Hearst – Mattice – Soins De Santé. This project was financed by a capital development loan from Infrastructure Ontario. Foyer des Pionniers is one of many long-term care homes now under construction in Ontario. Since January 2023, 35 projects representing 5,351 new and upgraded beds are being built to modern design standards across the province.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve, both now and in the future. The plan is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.