The Ontario Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, has announced an investigation into the alarming practice of housing children and youth in unlicensed settings such as hotels, motels, offices, and trailers. This decision follows numerous reports and incidents highlighting the placement of vulnerable young people in these environments, raising significant concerns regarding their safety, privacy, and well-being.
The Ombudsman’s office has initiated this investigation after staff visited some of these children and youth to assess their living conditions and listen to their concerns firsthand. While some children’s aid societies have cited a shortage of appropriate housing options, particularly for youth with special needs or challenging behaviors, as a reason for these placements, the use of unlicensed settings has come under increasing scrutiny. Hotels, motels, and office spaces simply do not meet the necessary standards to house children, especially those requiring specialized care.
“We have become aware of several incidents where children have been placed in these settings, which raises significant concerns about their safety, comfort, and privacy,” stated Ombudsman Paul Dubé. “This investigation aims to uncover why these vulnerable young people are being placed in such unsuitable environments and to ensure their rights are upheld.”
The investigation will not only focus on how individual agencies are handling these situations but will also scrutinize the response from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the governing body responsible for child welfare in Ontario.
The investigation will be conducted by the Ombudsman’s Children and Youth Unit, with additional support from the Special Ombudsman Response Team. This dedicated team will thoroughly investigate the systemic issues that have allowed this practice to occur and make recommendations to address any gaps or failures in the system.
The goal of this investigation is to protect the rights of these vulnerable children and provide them with the safe and supportive environments they need. Since its establishment in 2019, the Children and Youth Unit has handled approximately 8,000 cases involving young people in care and an additional 1,000 related to youth justice centers. The unit’s previous investigations have resulted in over 100 recommendations to improve services, all of which were accepted and implemented by relevant authorities.
This latest investigation underscores the ongoing challenges within the child welfare system, particularly regarding housing and support for vulnerable children. The Ombudsman’s office is seeking input from the public, especially those with direct knowledge or experience of these practices.
