The Ontario government has officially opened Foyer Richelieu Welland, a new Francophone long-term care home that adds 128 modern beds to the Niagara Region. The opening marks a key step in the province’s plan to strengthen health care infrastructure, expand culturally responsive care, and build long-term capacity for Ontario’s aging population.
The newly constructed home — operated by the not-for-profit organization Foyer Richelieu Welland — is designed to offer French-language services and culturally tailored care for Francophone seniors, addressing a growing need within the community.
Expanding Access to Quality, Culturally Focused Care
“The opening of the new Foyer Richelieu Welland marks a significant milestone in our government’s plan to protect residents and increase access to world-class health care across the province, including here in the Niagara Region,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “It’s also an important day for Ontario’s Francophone community, as Foyer Richelieu will offer all 128 beds to Francophone residents so they can receive care that is tailored to their cultural and language needs.”
The redeveloped facility provides 66 new and 62 upgraded beds and has begun accepting residents. The home’s design focuses on comfort and familiarity, featuring four “resident home areas” (RHAs), each accommodating up to 32 residents. These areas include dedicated dining and activity spaces, lounges, and private bedrooms to create a more personal and community-oriented atmosphere.
Beyond resident care, the home also features amenities such as a bistro, beauty salon, and social room — designed to foster wellbeing, engagement, and a sense of home.
A Milestone for Ontario’s Francophone Community
“The brand-new Foyer Richelieu Welland represents our government’s commitment to delivering high quality care to residents in their language of choice,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “Today’s announcement builds on our government’s plan to expand access to care and bolster Ontario’s Francophone culture, population and economy for years to come.”
The project’s completion was made possible through Ontario’s Not-For-Profit Loan Guarantee Program, which helps organizations that face challenges securing financing for capital developments. By guaranteeing loans through agencies such as Infrastructure Ontario, the program enables not-for-profits to undertake large-scale projects that might otherwise be unattainable.
Co-Located Hospice and Broader Health Investments
As part of the same health infrastructure initiative, the Ontario government also provided $4.6 million to Hospice Niagara for the development of Walker House, a new 10-bed hospice co-located with Foyer Richelieu Welland. The facility began offering palliative care services in August 2025, complementing the long-term care home’s mission of compassionate, community-based care.
“This new home will provide a warm and compassionate environment for 128 residents, offering them a true sense of belonging while honouring their dignity, independence, and connection to their community,” said Sean Keays, CEO of Foyer Richelieu. “It’s a very important day for Francophone seniors in southern Ontario.”
Part of Ontario’s Long-Term Care Expansion
The Foyer Richelieu project contributes to the government’s broader effort to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province. The initiative, outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, is part of a four-pillar strategy to improve staffing and care, strengthen quality and enforcement, modernize facilities, and connect seniors to faster, more convenient services.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health care system and ensure that more people can connect to convenient care, where and when they need it most,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s grand opening for Foyer Richelieu Welland is another way we are building a more inclusive health care system that respects the cultural and language needs of Ontario’s Francophone community and ensuring seniors can access safe and compassionate care, closer to home.”
Community and Economic Benefits
Local leaders also highlighted the project’s broader impact on Welland and the surrounding region.
“Seniors across our province and in Niagara deserve to receive quality care with dignity and respect,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “The addition of 128 modern beds at Foyer Richelieu in Welland will help ensure our local Francophone seniors have a safe and modern space to call home in a culturally appropriate and faith-based context.”
Frank Campion, Mayor of Welland, called the opening “a milestone achievement for Welland and Francophones across Niagara,” adding that “this home will deliver quality care for generations to come.”
Supporting a Growing Demand
As of October 2025, 148 long-term care projects representing more than 24,000 new and redeveloped beds are either completed, under construction, or approved across Ontario. To further accelerate development, the province introduced the 2025 Long-Term Care Home Capital Funding Policy and Capital Funding Program (CFP), which provides a modernized funding model that reflects regional cost differences and operator needs.
Through initiatives like Foyer Richelieu Welland, Ontario continues to prioritize modern, inclusive, and high-quality long-term care options that serve both cultural and regional needs — ensuring seniors across the province can live with dignity, safety, and respect in communities they call home.
