The Shannex Difference   |   Our History

Our History

Getting to Know Us

It all began in 1988 when our founder, Joseph Shannon, purchased a nursing home in his hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia. His vision forged a path to set a new standard in accommodations, services and support for seniors. For more than three decades, residents and their families have inspired our continued growth. What started as a single location in Cape Breton has grown to include operations across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

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.