North Glengarry council pushes back on licence move that would move 70 beds to Cornwall
North Glengarry councillors have unanimously opposed a proposal to transfer 70 licensed long‑term care beds from The Palace in Alexandria to a new, larger facility proposed in Cornwall, warning the move would reduce local capacity at a time when their population is ageing.
The proposal, identified as Project No. 26‑017, would see Southbridge Care Homes and Yorkville Development LP incorporate The Palace’s 70 licensed beds into a proposed 320‑bed long‑term care facility to be built in Cornwall. Under the plan, The Palace would close once the new Cornwall facility opens.
“To lose beds at this point is absolutely daft, for lack of a better term.”
The comment came from Councillor Michael Madden, who urged council to consider the demographic pressures on the township. Council’s resolution asks the Ministry of Long‑Term Care to refuse the licence modification unless the relocation ensures equivalent or greater long‑term care capacity remains within North Glengarry.
Local leaders want beds kept in Alexandria
Mayor Jamie MacDonald acknowledged The Palace is in need of replacement and conceded that renovating the existing building would likely be cost‑prohibitive. Even so, the township is pressing for solutions that would keep the 70 licences in Alexandria — including discussion of building a new facility locally or transferring the licence to a not‑for‑profit operator, though MacDonald said it is unclear if transfer would be possible under current rules.
Council flagged the cumulative effect of regional projects on local capacity. Maxville Manor currently holds 122 beds and is expected to expand by 38 beds, bringing it to 160. With The Palace’s 70 beds included today, North Glengarry’s total would stand at 192. If the 70 beds are relocated to Cornwall, the township projects a reduction to 160 — a net loss of 32 beds compared with current capacity.
| Facility | Current / Planned Beds |
|---|---|
| The Palace (Alexandria) | 70 (licensed) |
| Maxville Manor | 122 (current) → 160 (after planned expansion) |
| North Glengarry total (with The Palace) | 192 |
| North Glengarry total (if Palace beds moved) | 160 |
Demographics and consequence
Councillor Madden pointed to the township’s age profile, noting that roughly 27 per cent of its population is over 65. That proportion, the council argued, counsels against reducing local long‑term care licences when demand is expected to rise.
Council’s motion asks provincial officials to consider the broader effects on seniors, families and caregivers and to identify alternatives that would maintain or expand capacity within North Glengarry before approving any licence modification that moves beds to Cornwall.
- Project No. 26‑017 would create a 320‑bed facility in Cornwall incorporating The Palace’s 70 beds.
- North Glengarry council unanimously opposed the licence relocation and seeks ministry intervention.
- Local leaders cite a net loss of 32 beds for the township if the move proceeds.
The dispute highlights a persistent tension between regional consolidation of health infrastructure and the needs of smaller, rural communities. For Cornwall residents, the proposed new facility represents additional capacity in the city, while for neighbouring townships it raises concerns about access to care when licences are moved away from rural sites.
Council has formally urged the Ministry of Long‑Term Care to reject the licence change unless satisfactory measures are put forward to preserve local service levels. The ministry and the proponents, Southbridge Care Homes and Yorkville Development LP, have not been quoted in the township’s publicly reported resolution.
Local municipalities across Ontario continue to wrestle with how to replace aging long‑term care infrastructure while balancing provincial policy, developer proposals and the needs of rural seniors and caregivers. This case will be watched closely by residents in Alexandria, Maxville and Cornwall as deliberations advance.
