Blamed for abuse and neglect a year ago, the former owners of the Manoir Liverpool seniors’ residence are now claiming $6.2 million in damages from ministers Christian Dubé and Marguerite Blais.
Claude Talbot and Manon Belleau denounce the breach of a confidentiality agreement by the CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches, which would have aborted the sale of the Manoir.
A year ago, the Lévis seniors’ residence was preparing, in the wake of an administrative investigation to confirm several shortcomings, to lose the certification that allowed it to maintain its operations.
The former owners say today that the loss of their certification “forced, even obliged” them to carry out a “liquidation sale”, without which “they were forced into bankruptcy”.
“They found themselves with a sword of Damocles above their heads,” argues lawyer Jean-François Bertrand, who represents the two plaintiffs.
“Pejorative and discriminatory remarks”
Mr. Talbot and Mr.me Belleau claim that the CISSS broke its commitment to keep the conclusions of its administrative investigation confidential so as not to interfere with the sale. “Ultimately, a truncated report […] presenting the Plaintiffs as highly negligent persons, was made public. »
The former owners accuse the Minister of Health and the Minister responsible for Seniors of having made “pejorative and discriminatory remarks” about them after the publication of the report, in particular describing them as “crooked and dishonest owners”.
“Mr. Dubé, for his part, indicated that they had made ‘tourloupettes'”, maintains the application instituting proceedings consulted by The duty. For the plaintiffs, the minister thus publicly let believe that they “were fundamentally malevolent. »
Claude Talbot and Manon Belleau argue that “these breaches” led to the cancellation of a purchase offer totaling $20.5 million “and a loss of trust and esteem from their business partners, relatives and knowledge “.
The application states that Mr. Talbot and Mr.me Belleau eventually sold the Manoir Liverpool to the same buyer, but for $15 million. The two former owners estimate that they suffered a loss of 5.5 million dollars.
Claude Talbot and Manon Belleau ask that the difference be paid by the CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches and the two ministers. In addition, the two plaintiffs are claiming $450,000 in compensatory damages and $225,000 in punitive damages.