He's been barred from his mother's Ontario long-term care home for over a year. Now, he's pushing back

All Paul Ziman wants for Christmas is to be reunited with his mother, after nearly a year of not being allowed to visit her in a long-term care (LTC) home.

In September 2023, after a meeting at The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, Ziman was banned from the home through the Ontario Trespass to Property Act (TPA). In a letter to Ziman, the home said he was issued the order because he had demonstrated anger, and it also accused him of previously behaving in a threatening and abusive manner. 

But Ziman, who lives in nearby LaSalle, believes he was banned because he passionately expressed concerns about the care of his mother, Anna Ziman, 81, and had told the home he intended to file a complaint. The home has denied this claim.

"I'm emotionally and mentally drained," said Ziman, who's also his mother's power of attorney.

"It's devastating for both of us, especially for her. She's the one being separated from her family."

Anna lives with Alzheimer's disease. Before the ban, Ziman said, he used to visit her every day.

"She should be around family and I don't think anyone should be able to take you away from family."

Anna's husband, Paul Sr., also hasn't visited her because of his mobility issues. He had previously relied on his son to help him navigate the building.

"It's hurtful. What's happened to us is extremely painful. It shouldn't happen to anyone, not just us, but anyone," their son said. 

He said he has tried to access support through the Long-Term Care Action Line, the Patient Ombudsman, the Windsor Police Service, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and a number of lawyers, but has had no luck in his efforts to lift the order.

There are more than 100 cases across the province involving people given no-trespass orders, according to advocate Maria Sardelis, who fought her own battle against such an order when she was halted from seeing her mother in 2018.

She now leads the Access to Seniors and Disabled advocacy group in support of families like Zimans. In most cases, she said, individuals are being silenced for speaking out about the care of loved ones.

"They want to shut you down" for advocating, according to Sardelis.

CBC's Marketplace has previously reported on this issue.