Desjardins Group is donating $25,000 to assist the victims of the Quebec seniors’ home fire, while neighbouring Ontario looks to speed up the phase-in of sprinkler systems in nursing and retirement homes in that province.

“We are deeply saddened by the horrible tragedy that struck the L'isle-Verte community,” said Monique F. Leroux, chair of the board, president and CEO of Desjardins Group. “We would like to extend our deepest sympathy and support to the affected families and friends, as well as to the entire community.”

Desjardins’ donation to the Quebec Red Cross is part of its campaign to raise $50,000 to assist the victims affected by the fire that destroyed a seniors' home that killed at least five and left 30 others missing in the small community of L’Isle-Verte, Que. Thursday.

According to Desjardins, teams arrived quickly on the scene to offer support to the victims, as Desjardins Card Services responded rapidly by installing new payment equipment at the temporarily relocated pharmacy to ensure business and service continuation.

Ontario introduced new regulations last year requiring all nursing homes built before 1998 to install sprinkler systems (they had previously been exempt), but that process is expected to take five to 10 years to complete.

Health Minister Deb Matthews told reporters that she wants to go back and look at accelerating the mandatory installation of sprinklers. (continued.)
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The program to install sprinklers in older long-term care homes operated by the Ministry of Health is scheduled to last until 2025.

The cause of the blaze in L’Isle-Verte, Que. is still under investigation.