On April 1, 2026, the Éditeur officiel du Québec published an update to the Regulation respecting the certification of private seniors’ residences (PSR). This current version notably incorporates the essence of Decree 1574‑2022, which introduced a major innovation in the regulation of seniors’ residences in Quebec. This decree requires certain PSRs to establish a residence life committee (RLC). For ACROQ, the Association des Comités de Résidents Officielle du Québec, these committees are much more than a simple legal requirement. They are genuine collaboration tools between PSR managers, residents, and their caregivers, aimed at creating a caring environment within the living environment.
Here is a clear summary of the key elements of this regulation, including PSR categories and the new provisions relating to the residence life committee (Sections 56.1 to 56.6).
View the full regulation (in French)
What is the PSR certification regulation?
The PSR certification regulation governs the operation of private seniors’ residences in Quebec. It stems from the Act respecting health services and social services and specifies the conditions that an operator must meet to obtain and maintain their certificate of compliance.
This regulation covers, in particular:
- The categories of residences and their classification criteria.
- The sociosanitary certification criteria (health and safety of residents, staff).
- Operating standards (code of ethics, activities, record keeping).
- Obligations relating to the residence life committee.
- Rules for renewal, transfer, and applicable offences.
The 4 categories of PSR in Quebec
The certification of private seniors’ residences is based on a category system, defined in Section 1 of the regulation.
Category 1 PSR (non‑profit residence)
- Residence for independent seniors.
- Offers at least two of the following services: meals, domestic help, security, or leisure.
Category 2 PSR (for‑profit residence)
- Residence for independent seniors.
- Offers at least two of the following services: meals, domestic help, security, or leisure.
Category 3 PSR (for‑profit or non‑profit residence)
- Residence for semi‑independent seniors.
- Offers at least one basic service from the following: meals, domestic help, security, or leisure.
- Offers personal assistance or nursing care services.
Category 4 PSR (for‑profit or non‑profit residence)
- Residence for seniors with moderate to severe loss of independence.
- Offers personal assistance services and nursing care.
- Offers at least one basic service from the following: meals, domestic help, security, or leisure.
A residence’s category determines several regulatory requirements, including the number of staff members required for supervision and whether to establish a residence life committee.
A question about your residence’s category?
Decree 1574‑2022: a major update of PSR regulation
Decree 1574‑2022 significantly modified the regulation respecting PSR certification. This update to the PSR regulation has notably:
- Specified the operator’s obligations toward residents (general information on life at the residence, staff induction process).
- Strengthened the rules surrounding the identification and assessment of residents’ independence.
- Added new provisions on the prevention of falls and infections.
- Introduced Division 2.1, Residence life committee (Sections 56.1 to 56.6), which obliges certain residences to establish such a committee.
This regulation of seniors’ residences in Quebec continues to evolve: the regulation has also been modified by Decrees D. 259‑2018 (initial version), D. 816‑2021, and D. 1751‑2023. The latter notably revised the rules applicable to Section 24 on the prevention of resident wandering.
Consult Decree 1574‑2022 (in French)
The residence life committee: Sections 56.1 to 56.6
One of the most significant innovations in this regulation is the obligation for certain residences to establish a residence life committee. Here is what Division 2.1 of the regulation provides.
Who must have a residence life committee?
According to Section 56.1, the operator of a Category 2 or 3 PSR with more than 99 rental units must set up a residence life committee. The same applies to the operator of a Category 4 residence with more than 50 rental units. Residences not subject to this obligation cannot, however, prevent their residents from forming such a committee.
Composition of the committee (Section 56.2)
The committee is composed of 3 to 7 members, elected by the residents of the residence. The majority of members must be residents. If this is impossible, residents may elect another person of their choice, provided they are neither a staff member nor a person responsible for supervision. For a Category 4 residence, the committee must include at least one resident representative. The operator, as well as its shareholders, directors, or officers, cannot sit on this committee.
Functions of the committee (Section 56.3)
The functions of the residence life committee are to:
- Disseminate information on residents’ rights and obligations.
- Promote improvements in the quality of residents’ living conditions.
- Defend the collective rights and interests of residents.
- Provide, upon request, information useful for formulating a complaint to the local complaints commissioner or a request to the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL).
Mandate and operation (Sections 56.4 to 56.6)
The mandate of the committee members cannot exceed 3 years. However, nothing prevents a member of the RLC from standing for re‑election and continuing their involvement. The operator must ensure the proper functioning of the committee, inform each resident in writing of its existence, allow it to use a room, and permit it to keep its files confidential. The committee defines its own operating rules, including the frequency of its meetings.
Do you sit on a residence life committee or wish to form one?
Discover our tools, including our free downloadable Excel vote compilation file.
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Important update
Santé Québec is currently drafting a new regulation which will eventually replace the regulation currently in force (S‑4.2, r. 0.01 – Regulation on the Certification of Private Care Homes for Older People, April 2026). We hope that Santé Québec will maintain, or even strengthen, the role of PSRs. Consultations with key stakeholders in the sector are scheduled for the fall of 2026.
The role of ACROQ with residence life committees
The Association des Comités de Résidents Officielle du Québec (ACROQ) supports residents, caregivers, and PSR managers in setting up and ensuring the proper functioning of their residence life committee. This support is carried out in compliance with the PSR certification regulation. For ACROQ, a well‑structured RLC is a genuine lever for a caring environment, fostering harmonious collaboration among all stakeholders in the living environment.