Herbert Goodine, 90, was told he had to leave the care home where he lived his wife Audrey Goodine, 89, and move into a nursing home because of his worsening dementia.
Their daughter Dianne Phillips shared details of the decision on Facebook and the post has since gone viral, sparking outrage across the country.
She wrote: "When talking to my parents yesterday I listened to my mother weep and I could hear my father in the background.
“My mother said, 'Christmas is over for us now and this is the worst Christmas that we will ever have. Why could they not have waited till after the holidays?'"
Mrs Phillips said her requests to the New Brunswick authority to delay the move by one week, so the couple could spend Christmas together, were denied.
She shared an update after the weekend to confirm that her father had been moved. She explained that he had been reassessed a week ago and now requires a higher level of care.
But she added: “My father may have needs, however, like any other citizen he has the right to enjoy his life and spending this season with his wife was part of that.”
The Victoria Villa Special Care Home responded to the Facebook post by stating it had to follow the “rules and regulations set by the government”.
The spokesperson added: “In fact, it’s against the law for me to not follow the rules and I could lose my licence. At this point the decision has been made and it is out of my hands.”
Mrs Phillips said her family is looking for new accommodation where her parents, who have been married for 69 years and together for 73, can both reside.
