Life in a private seniors’ residence (PSR) should be a happy and reassuring stage of life. To achieve this, setting up an RLC is a key lever. Our association, ACROQ, is proud to present its residence life committee guide. This RLC guide is designed to facilitate collaboration among managers, residents, and their caregivers to transform every PSR into a truly caring environment.
What is a residence life committee (RLC)?
The regulation respecting the certification of private seniors’ residences mandates the presence of a residence life committee in many establishments. Since December 15, 2023, the RLC has acted as the preferred channel of communication between residents and PSR management.
The mission of an RLC in a PSR
- Providing information on the rights and obligations of residents.
- Promoting the improvement of the quality of living conditions.
- Defending the collective rights and interests of tenants.
- Supporting residents in filing complaints with the local commissioner.
Steps to create an RLC: setting up your wellness tool
Setting up an RLC may seem complex, but our RLC creation guide simplifies the process into four key phases. The objective is to ensure that the committee is autonomous and representative of the people living in the residence.
4 phases to form a committee: RLC creation steps
- Informing residents: organize a meeting to explain the consultative role of the future committee.
- Forming a working committee: bring together volunteers to present the project basics.
- Drafting internal regulations: establish the legal and functional “foundation” of the organization.
- Electing members: proceed with electing a committee of 3 to 7 members.
It is important to note that, according to Section 56.6 of the regulation, the RLC defines its own operating rules. Furthermore, residence management is obligated to support the committee’s proper functioning by providing, for example, a meeting room and a bulletin board.
Residence life committee support and training: ACROQ expertise
ACROQ does not just publish a guide. We offer genuine support and RLC support resources for managers who wish to comply with the law while creating a positive environment. Our RLC training helps elected members understand their consultative role and avoid common pitfalls.
We can intervene directly in your establishment to:
- Present the RLC file during a general meeting of residents.
- Facilitate constructive exchanges between elected members and PSR owners.
- Provide concrete tools for the confidential handling of requests.
A practical guide for PSR residents
This practical guide for RLC members is the result of years of expertise and collaboration with the Projet Bientraitance du CCEG de Drummondville (in French). It contains essential template forms, such as the request form or the code of ethics, to ensure the sustainability of your commitment.
You can view this document online now to discover a “win‑win” approach where every stakeholder works towards a common goal: the happiness of seniors.