On May 29, Enterprise 4 Good, parent organization of long-term care home Chez Nous in Moose Jaw, informed residents and staff that Chez Nous would close by July 1.
“The people living in this home, for some of them this place was their last resort,” one care provider at the home said. Staff at Chez Nous agreed to share information under condition of anonymity to protect them from possible employment reprisals.
“If it wasn’t for the managers (of other care homes in Moose Jaw) stepping up and saying, you know, this needs our help, I’m not sure what would have happened.”
MooseJawToday.com spoke with several employees and residents at Chez Nous, who claimed communication from the management at Enterprise 4 Good, formerly the Ability Society of Alberta, had been inadequate. Several residents complained of poor conditions, especially food, leading up to what they termed an “eviction notice" from Enterprise 4 Good.
After receiving the 30-day closure notice, staff at Chez Nous reached out to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health to express concern for their residents. They asked for help with the closure and transition of residents to new homes — and were told the Ministry would assist them.
The Ministry of Health refused MooseJawToday.com’s request for an interview on the subject and instead sent the following prepared statement:
“Personal care homes are private businesses which operate under regulations set out in The Personal Care Homes Act. The Ministry of Health ensures this legislation is followed.
“In this situation, the personal care home operator advised the Ministry of Health that it was closing. The Ministry has appointed an administrator to help wind down the operation and ensure the well-being of the residents. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring they are fed, cared for, and transitioned to new homes as available and appropriate. The administrator is tasked with working closely with residents and families during this transition.”
Employees were unable to confirm what official role a Ministry of Health administrator would have taken, but said their understanding was that the administrator would provide guidance on transitional management.
Chez Nous staff said they waited for nearly a week for the promised help from the Ministry of Health — at that point, they were out of staples like milk, so they reached out to the other care homes in Moose Jaw.
The response was generous and compassionate, they said, and with help from retirement homes like Crescent Park and Capilano Court, all the Chez Nous residents continue to be cared for. Homes have been found, everyone is being fed, and enough staff are present to make sure everyone is looked after.
But no one is happy. Residents are angry and upset, and employees are feeling the anxiety and pressure of having to find new jobs on short notice.
“It was a surprise,” another staff member commented. “You could tell stuff was going down, but no one said anything. And then it all went downhill, and it was really sad, because none of the residents wanted to leave. This was their home.”
The Moose Jaw Express is continuing its investigation, but has so far been unable to reach any management-level employee at either Chez Nous or Enterprise 4 Good for comment.
Chez Nous has been listed on AvisonYoung.ca for $3.25 million since June 2022.
