After 5 nights in a cage, Quebec man reaches agreement with government

After five nights camped out in front of the National Assembly, Jonathan Marchandwill return to his room in a long-term care home, despite not getting themeeting he requested withQuebec Premier Franois Legault.

The 43-year-old with muscular dystrophy has lived at a long-term care home near Quebec City since 2012. He requires a ventilator to breathe.

Marchand hadbeen livingin a makeshift cage outside the legislature since last Wednesday, demanding those who are not elderly be allowed to move out of long-term care homes and have private residences adapted, with visits from care staff as needed.

By putting young people in the care homes, known as CHSLDs, he argues they are essentially prevented from being members of society.

On Monday, Marchand claimed a partial victory, as the government promised to set up a working group to look into the issue.

Still, he left slightly disappointed that he didn't get the opportunity to voice his concerns with the premier himself.

"As long as I'm there, in a CHSLD, I cannot claim victory, but the door is ajar and that is already a plus. I remain completely determined to get out and show them there's an alternative," Marchand said.

The province's new working group is expected to start meeting as of next week, and will look into the possibility of creating a new "self-directed" personal assistance program for the province.

The working group will be comprised of representatives from the office of Seniors' and Caregivers' Minister Marguerite Blais, SoulangesMNAMarilyne Picard, and home care experts.

The group is expected to submit its report by the end of the year.

lizabeth Lemay, spokesperson for Blais, said the minister has been communicating with Marchand to try and come up with a solution.

"Our government fundamentally believes in the importance of further developing home support. We have to allow people with disabilities to live in their home environments if that's what they choose," Lemay said in an email.

Need for home care urgent in pandemic, doctor says

Marchand likens living in a CHSLD to being an inmate at a prison.

"Everyone must have the right to live on their own and decide who they live with and how they live," he said.

"This must change, by any means necessary."

Dr. Paul Saba, who treats muscular dystrophy patients, is also calling on the government to respond quickly to Marchand's demands, due to the risk of a second wave of COVID-19 this fall.

"People are far more safe at home with the help that they need," said Saba. He said the premier should listen to Marchand's demands to show that he's listening tothose who are most vulnerable.

The majority of deaths related to COVID-19 have been in the province's long-term care homes and private seniors' residences.

At the height of the pandemic, residents were not permitted to leave the care homes and no visitors were allowed.