‘They are supposed to be protecting people’: Resident says Georgian Bay Seniors Lodge skirts COVID safety rules

A resident of Georgian Bay Seniors Lodge (GBSL) says mask use, building maintenance and cleaning at the Penetanguishene facility is inadequate.

“We all think they are understaffed,” said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

There has not been a COVID-19 outbreak in the home, but it could easily happen, said the resident, who alleges residents regularly see staff members either not wearing masks or having one hanging off one ear or under their chin.

“They are supposed to be protecting people from COVID,” said the resident, adding the issue was reported to staff without effect.

The resident contacted Simcoe.com after an Oct. 16 article in which SEIU Healthcare union president Sharleen Stewart called the home “dangerous,” but GBSL management spokesperson Mike Smith said it meets all recommendations set out by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) and the fire department.

The SEIU told Simcoe.com the retirement home has been operating at night with only two staff when there should be three. Smith called the claim “untrue.”

GBSL owner Sunray Group has hired Comfort of Living to handle management. Comfort of Living CEO Sam Riad said the home normally has three people working overnight, although only two are required by legislation.

“There is no excuse for staff not wearing masks all the time,” said Riad. “We support the home with PPE. I’m not aware of any issue of staff not wearing masks. We will be following up.”

It can take 30 minutes for a response to the call bell, alleges the resident. One night, the resident claims to have heard someone calling for help, but knew the one employee on the floor was busy showering another resident.

In addition to the resident’s complaints, the Oct. 16 article elicited a letter from a Wyebridge resident whose 90-year-old friend has lived in the home for two years.

“I have never felt that this residence was not clean,” wrote Benny Kulczycki. “The staff is excellent and I never ran into one staff member without them greeting me when I was visiting.”

Phil Morris, manager of communications for the RHRA, said the home was inspected Dec. 19 as a result of a complaint concerning a plan of care that allegedly did not meet a resident’s needs, as well as the reported failure to implement fall-prevention strategies for a resident who had fallen on numerous occasions.

Morris added the RHRA will be reaching out to the home for more information on issues raised by the resident.

“We strongly encourage anyone who is aware of an issue at a retirement home, or has a concern about harm or risk of harm to residents, to bring it to the RHRA’s attention,” he said.

RHRA can be reached at or by emailing .