Former health-care aide fired for speaking out after unprofessionalism at private assisted living facility

A caregiver at a Manitoba seniors facility is speaking out after a recording of an incident involving a vulnerable resident. CTV's Harrison Shin reports.

A former caregiver is speaking out after she said she was fired for reporting an incident where an elderly resident at an assisted-living facility in Manitoba was berated by the manager.

Josephine Hall worked at the Ironwood Gardens in Pinawa, Man. for four months. She said she was terminated on March 12, after bringing allegations of poor treatment of the resident to the RCMP and then the facility’s board.

Hall, then employed as a primary caregiver in the elder care section, said another person at the home sent her an audio recording depicting manager Z’Anne Moore interacting with a vulnerable resident with dementia on March 6.

Hall said the resident did not have immediate family in the area and when she tried to inform them, she was not able to contact them. CTV News is not identifying the resident to protect their privacy.

CTV News reached out to Moore, Stu Iverson, the president of the Ironwood Gardens board, and Wally Kukurutz, vice president of the board, for comment. Moore did not return our calls or email. An individual answered a phone number associated to Iverson but would not comment or confirm if it was him. Kukurutz did not return the email.

The author of the recording, whom CTV News is not identifying, still works at the facility and is fearful of reprisals for coming forward. They confirmed they recorded the audio and witnessed the interaction.

The 38-second audio, a letter addressed to the facility’s board and a complaint to the province’s Protection for Persons in Care office were provided by Hall to CTV News.

Though Hall did not witness the interaction herself, she described what she heard on the audio.

“(Moore) was yelling and threatening her with one thing we all know that resident is most afraid of in the world – which was going to the hospital,” Hall said.

On the recording, a voice identified as Moore said, “If you are going to act like a child, I will treat you like a child.”

The resident is heard yelling, “Get off me.”

Scuffling noise was also heard on the audio, which Hall said is the manager moving the resident.

Reporting the matter to the RCMP

Hall said she went to the RCMP to report the incident.

In an email, a spokesperson for the RCMP confirmed the interaction.

“On March 8, 2026, at 11:27 a.m., Pinawa RCMP received a report for an incident that occurred at a residence on Vanier Avenue in Pinawa,” the email read.

Hall said she wanted to get feedback from the Mounties in case they were “overreacting”.

“Are we just emotional because this is somebody we care about?” she said. “I just wanted to be able to have a third-party look at it objectively.”

The email from RCMP said the matter was referred to the Protection for Persons in Care office.

Hall said she tried that route, but the office told her that facility was not in their scope.

In an emailed statement, a provincial spokesperson confirmed the facility is out of their jurisdiction.

“The Protection for Persons in Care Office (PPCO) is responsible for receiving and investigating reports of alleged abuse or neglect in provincially licensed health facilities,” the spokesperson said.

“Seniors housing, including assisted living and supportive housing, are not considered as health-care facilities under the Protection for Persons in Care Act (PPCA).”

Termination of employment

On March 11, Ironwood board president Stu Iverson emailed Hall to meet on the following day.

Hall said she brought her husband as a witness. When she walked into the meeting, Iverson, the vice president of the board, Wally Kukurutz and Moore were present, she said.

She said they brought up a previous breach of protocol where she proposed some improvements without going through Moore and said the fact she brought the audio to police instead of Moore and the board was another breach.

“Honestly, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard because she’s in the video.” she said. “I mean, make that make sense, right?”

Hall said she was then terminated.

In a statement, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara described the situation “distressing and concerning.”

“Manitobans should be able to trust that their loved ones are safe and receiving quality care. We will ensure that the regional health authority takes all appropriate and necessary steps to investigate these serious allegations and provide support for the families affected,” Asagwara said.

Wayne Ewasko, the MLA for Lac du Bonnet told CTV News his office has not been made aware of any allegations, but complaints need to be investigated.

“These seniors are vulnerable Manitobans who deserve the best care in their golden years,” he said.

Hall said that even though she lost her job, it was worth it to stand up for vulnerable residents, adding they need to be cared for properly with dignity. She said she was surprised to learn that there are no safeguards for residents in facilities like Ironwood Gardens.

“Changes need to be made, and people need to be held accountable for their actions and their behaviour because no person deserves to be treated that way.”