Edmonton Continuing Care Facility Confronts Severe Mice Infestation Affecting Hundreds
One of Alberta's largest continuing care centres has been grappling with a significant mice infestation for several months, raising serious concerns about resident safety and dignity. The Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, which houses nearly 500 individuals requiring various levels of care, has become the focal point of a growing health and safety controversy.
Political Criticism and Delayed Response
Alberta NDP hospital and surgical health services critic Sarah Hoffman revealed during a Friday press conference that she first learned about the infestation and widespread mice droppings during the summer months. Hoffman expressed profound disappointment after personally witnessing evidence of mice living in the same spaces as residents during a recent visit to a friend and constituent at the facility.
"I was pretty disgusted," Hoffman stated. "I saw evidence that there were mice living in the same space that my friend was living in and residents who need long-term care — many who are seniors deserve a safe, dignified place to live."
Facility Operations and Resident Impact
The Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre provides essential services including long-term care, subacute care, and hospice care to Albertans. According to spiritual volunteer Ron Guetter, the infestation has become so widespread that nearly every resident's room contains at least one mouse trap, describing the situation as an "open secret" within the facility.
Guetter shared particularly distressing accounts from residents, including one individual who woke to find two mice in her room. Confined to her bed and terrified to leave it, she reportedly pulled up her blankets to prevent mice from accessing her sleeping area. "For many people, I'm sad to say, this is their last stage of life," Guetter lamented. "This is the last room they're going to have and they have to put up with mice."
Management Response and Pest Control Measures
In response to mounting concerns, Covenant Health — the operator of the facility — issued a statement through Scott Baerg, senior officer of continuing care operations. Baerg explained that the organization switched to a new licensed external pest control company in July 2025, which conducts bi-weekly inspections and additional visits as necessary.
"The safety, dignity and care of our residents is our top priority," Baerg emphasized. "We take this concern seriously and are working hard to rectify the situation." He added that any evidence of pests is addressed promptly and communicated directly to site leadership.
Calls for Transparency and Immediate Action
While Hoffman clarified that the Alberta NDP is not advocating for facility closure, she stressed the urgent need for focused extermination efforts and professional building security measures. The critic highlighted a concerning transparency gap in health facility reporting compared to other public establishments.
"Before I go to a restaurant, I can look up the history of health inspector reports on what's happened in that facility," Hoffman noted. "I know if there have been mice in a restaurant, but I don't know if there have been mice in a long-term care centre and I think that's wrong."
The situation has sparked broader conversations about accountability and oversight in continuing care facilities, with advocates calling for improved reporting mechanisms and more responsive intervention protocols when health and safety concerns emerge in vulnerable care environments.
