Our History
In 1988, our Founder, Mr. Joseph Shannon, purchased a nursing home in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He saw a need to improve quality of life and care for seniors, and so Mr. Shannon forged a path that continues to inspire our work nearly 40 years later. What began as a single long term care community has evolved to include a collection of healthcare, hospitality and lifestyle brands across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Key moments in our history have been defined by stepping up to address an unmet need, to add value as a strategic partner, to invest in meaningful work, and to create opportunities we believe our communities deserve.
If there’s a single insight that drives our team daily, it’s knowing the desire for better living has little to do with age. That’s why we proudly serve adults of every age through:
- Lifestyle Communities
- Functional Health
- Transitional Health
- Home & Community Care
- Retirement Living
- Long Term Care
As our organization has grown, so too have our investments in Community Partnerships and Programs, Grants and Community Giving, Research and Innovation, Technology, Sustainability and Energy Management. Our future is bright, our team is strong, and we credit our continued success to the Great People who work hard to deliver outcomes that matter. Together, we’re making better living a reality for those we serve, and we look forward to the decades ahead.
1988
Shannex begins its journey as a long term care provider in Sydney with the purchase Breton Bay Nursing Home.
1991
Shannex expands to Halifax with the addition of Armview Estates and Fairview Villa, later renamed Arborstone Enhanced Care and Maplestone Enhanced Care
1993
Shannex completes independent assessment against global standards and is accredited by Accreditation Canada
1995
Hillcrest Manor in Truro, Nova Scotia, is acquired and later renamed Cedarstone Enhanced Care
1999
Shannex establishes the Parkland Retirement Living brand with the opening of Parkland Clayton Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia
The organization expands to New Brunswick with the addition of Royal Court in Riverview
2000
Five Shannex nursing homes opened in Nova Scotia as part of the Building Quality Living project
2007
Caritas Residence welcomes the Sisters of Charity to their new home in Halifax
Parkland at the Lakes in Dartmouth opens with a full continuum of services for residents of varying levels of independence
Shannex builds the Centre for Excellence in Halifax to provide team members with ongoing education and professional development opportunities
2008
Shannex signs agreement to build three nursing homes in New Brunswick, leading to the opening of three Parkland Retirement Living communities in Fredericton, Quispamsis and Riverview.
2009
Shannex opens nine newly constructed nursing homes as part of the Building for Better Living project
Shannex launches its resident-directed Philosophy of Service
2010
The Care at Home division is established to serve residents who require additional supports while living in a Shannex community
Maplestone Enhanced Care opens the Collaborative Learning Centre in partnership with the Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine and Faculty of Health, making it the first academic nursing home in Atlantic Canada
2011
Shannex returns to its roots in Cape Breton, opening Parkland Cape Breton in Sydney, Nova Scotia
2013
Parkland at the Gardens opens in the heart of downtown Halifax
Parkland launches its signature Harmony Wellness program, designed to help residents take a holistic approach to health and wellness
Joseph Shannon is awarded the Order of Canada
2015
Shannex signs the Nova Scotia Health and Safety Leadership Charter alongside 29 organizations committed to reducing workplace injuries
Parkland at the Lakes in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, expands with the opening of Kinross Hall and Lewis Hall
Operations continue to grow in New Brunswick with the opening of Parkland Saint John
Shannex expands into Ontario with the acquisition of Parkland on the Glen in Mississauga
2016
The first annual Shannex Excellence Awards Gala is held to celebrate the accomplishments of our Great People
Shannex establishes its first Resident and Family Advisory Committee
2017
Shannex opens Faubourg du Mascaret, its first French- language retirement living campus, in Moncton, New Brunswick
2018
Parkland Antigonish welcomes the Sisters of St. Martha to their new home
2019
Shannex opens its newly-constructed Home Office in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Pavillon Gallant, Shannex’s first Lifestyle Apartments in New Brunswick, opens at Faubourg du Mascaret
Losier Hall opens in Miramichi, New Brunswick
2020
Shannex opens Parkland on Eglinton West in Etobicoke, its first fully designed and built project in Ontario
Shannex expands in New Brunswick with the opening of Parkland on the River in Miramichi and three nursing homes: Bridgeview Hall (Miramichi), Neill Hall (Fredericton) and Pavillon Landry (Moncton)
2022
Shannex acquires Milestone Communities, a retirement development in Bedford, Nova Scotia
Shannex announces Shannex Cares, a community program designed to improve the lives of seniors.
2023
Shannex becomes first seniors’ living organization in Canada to achieve ISO 50001 certification for energy management
Shannex opens Parkland Ajax, a premium lifestyle residence located in the heart of a diverse ands vibrant Great Lakes community.
Milestone Communities is now Parkland West Bedford – the fourth Parkland community in Metro Halifax.
Shannex opens Gordon Hall and Ocean Hall, two new 60-bed nursing homes located in Moncton, New Brunswick.
2024
Shannex opens Medley Hall, a new 60-bed nursing home located in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Shannex launches Bloomsbury, a groundbreaking community purposefully designed for a longevity focused lifestyle in Bedford, Nova Scotia
Shannex opens Phase 1 of Moody Hall, a new long term care home located on the grounds of Bloomsbury in Bedford, Nova Scotia, beginning with 72 beds
Shannex and our partner, Nova Scotia Health, welcomed the first 68 patients to West Bedford Transitional Health in Bedford, N.S., a first of its kind in Nova Scotia, serving patients 18+ who no longer require a hospital stay but need additional support before returning to the community
Shannex invests $3.5 million in academic partnerships with Dalhousie University, University of New Brunswick, and Mount Saint Vincent University to advance research, education, and innovation in healthy aging and the future of care
2025
Shannex opens Garraway Hall, a new 60-bed nursing home located in Moncton, New Brunswick, connected to both Ocean Hall and Gordon Hall
Shannex opens Parkland at the Common, the first lifestyle residence in Nova Scotia, located on the corner of Robie Street and Quinpool Road
Shannex opens Parkland Ancaster, offering a full continuum of lifestyle options, including Independent Lifestyle Apartments, All-Inclusive and Supportive Lifestyles, in one of Ontario’s most historic communities
Shannex opens Opal Ridge Hall, a new 144-bed nursing home located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Shannex opens Phase 2 of Moody Hall in Bedford, Nova Scotia, expanding from 72 beds to 144 beds
Care at Home rebrands to Parkland at Home and begins providing in-home support services to the greater community
2026
Shannex and our partner, Nova Scotia Health, expanded West Bedford Transitional Health, adding 110 new beds and innovative new spaces that help patients safely transition from hospital to home
Shannex opens Adeline Hall, a new 144-bed nursing home adjacent to Moody Hall on the grounds of Bloomsbury, a lifestyle community in Bedford, Nova Scotia
