An inmate told us a correctional officer threw him to the ground and started punching and kneeing him – leaving the inmate with swollen arms and a broken hand. We confirmed that the inmate had received medical treatment, including medication and multiple x-rays. However, we discovered that although …
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An inmate told us a correctional officer threw him to the ground and started punching and kneeing him – leaving the inmate with swollen arms and a broken hand.
Dangerously close
An inmate sought our help because he was housed on the same range with another inmate who was facing charges for stabbing him – and, he told us, was now extorting him for access to the canteen, food and phone calls. We alerted senior staff at the facility, and the two inmates were separated shortly …
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An inmate sought our help because he was housed on the same range with another inmate who was facing charges for stabbing him – and, he told us, was now extorting him for access to the canteen, food and phone calls.
Watchful help
Issues: Children’s aid society; Group home; Rights (Safety) A mother contacted our Children and Youth Unit because she was concerned that her son might have been hurt by a staff member in a group home. We reached out to the teenager immediately, and also relayed the mother’s concerns to her son’s …
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A mother contacted our Children and Youth Unit because she was concerned that her son might have been hurt by a staff member in a group home.
Submission regarding the Five Year Review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Submission to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services regarding the Five Year Review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario July 2023 2 Submission to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services regarding the Five Year Review of …
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Every five years, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is required to formally review the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (the CYFSA) and to report publicly on the review’s findings.
Bringing a smile
Issues: Children’s aid society; Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA); Rights (Good care) The Office of the Children’s Lawyer contacted us on behalf of a 17-year-old who was trying to get the cost of braces for her teeth covered by her children’s aid society (CAS). The youth had a Voluntary …
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The Office of the Children’s Lawyer contacted us on behalf of a 17-year-old who was trying to get the cost of braces for her teeth covered by her children’s aid society (CAS).
Submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation regarding equipment and use of force by police services
Submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation regarding equipment and use of force by police services Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario October 2022 1 Submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding equipment and use of force by police services October 2022 Overview …
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The Ministry of the Solicitor General has requested public and stakeholder input on proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 926/90 concerning equipment and the use of force by police services.
Submission in response to the Ministry’s consultation on proposed changes to Regulation 778
Submission in response to the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation on proposed changes to Regulation 778 Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario May 2021 2 Submission on Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation on Regulation 778 May 2021 Introduction 1 Thank you for the opportunity to …
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Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s proposed amendments to Regulation 778 related to segregation, inmate discipline and misconduct, and mandatory training for correctional officers.
Submission in response to the Ministry’s consultation on proposed changes to Regulation 778, regarding segregation reviews
“Ensuring Truly Independent Segregation Reviews” Submission in response to the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation on proposed changes to Regulation 778, regarding segregation reviews Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario September 23, 2019 3 “Ensuring Truly Independent Segregation Reviews” …
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My team and I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s three proposed changes to Ontario Regulation 778.
Missing in Inaction: Misty’s Story
O N T A R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WATC H D O G OMBUDSMAN REPORT Paul Dubé, Ombudsman of Ontario April 2023 Missing in Inaction: Misty’s Story Investigation into the adequacy of measures undertaken by Johnson Children’s Services Inc., Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services, and a Southwestern Ontario …
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Investigation into the adequacy of measures undertaken by Johnson Children’s Services Inc., Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services, and a Southwestern Ontario children’s aid society to ensure the safety of “Misty”
Submission regarding proposed regulations for special constables
Submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s consultation regarding proposed regulations for special constables Paul Dubé Ombudsman of Ontario February 2023 Submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding special constables February 2023 1 Overview The Ministry of the …
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The Ministry of the Solicitor General has requested public and stakeholder input on four proposed regulations under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 regarding special constables.
Uninterrupted visits
Issues: Children’s aid society; Rights (Good care) A 13-year-old in the care of a children’s aid society (CAS) contacted us when he didn’t hear back from his CAS about making arrangements to see his mother. The youth had regular weekly visits scheduled with his mother at his grandmother’s house, …
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A 13-year-old in the care of a children’s aid society (CAS) contacted us when he didn’t hear back from his CAS about making arrangements to see his mother.
A Voice Unheard: Brandon’s Story
O N T A R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WATC H D O G OMBUDSMAN REPORT Paul Dubé, Ombudsman of Ontario December 2022 A Voice Unheard: Brandon’s Story Investigation into the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto’s response to child protection concerns involving “Brandon” between December 31, 2015 and October 26, …
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Investigation into the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto’s response to child protection concerns involving “Brandon” between December 31, 2015 and October 26, 2018
Secure resolution
Issue: Group home A 16-year-old complained that staff at his group home weren’t helpful to him after his personal belongings, including a laptop, were stolen or damaged by other youths living in the home. When we contacted staff at the responsible agency, they confirmed another resident had been …
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A 16-year-old complained that staff at his group home weren’t helpful to him after his personal belongings, including a laptop, were stolen or damaged by other youths living in the home.
Voting rights – and wrongs
A man who was in jail awaiting sentencing complained to us that correctional officials had told him he could not vote in the September 2021 federal election, even though he was eligible. We immediately contacted senior staff at his facility, who acknowledged that they made a mistake and he should …
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A man who was in jail awaiting sentencing complained to us that correctional officials had told him he could not vote in the September 2021 federal election, even though he was eligible.
Email retrieved
A man contacted us in frustration after his application to have his issue heard by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) was dismissed. The reason given was that he hadn’t filed a response to them as requested. He had indeed sent the response – and had email evidence to prove it – but had …
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A man contacted us in frustration after his application to have his issue heard by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) was dismissed.
Supplemental care
An inmate with HIV complained that he hadn’t been receiving testosterone and other supplements he required to prevent muscle deterioration. He told us he needed to see a specialist, and that health care staff at his facility weren’t responding to calls from his HIV support worker. After our staff …
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An inmate with HIV complained that he hadn’t been receiving testosterone and other supplements he required to prevent muscle deterioration.
The right to know
After an inmate complained to us that he was pushed to the ground and attacked by several correctional officers, we intervened to verify that a local investigation had been conducted. We discovered that the investigation found that excessive force had been used against the inmate – but that …
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After an inmate complained to us that he was pushed to the ground and attacked by several correctional officers, we intervened to verify that a local investigation had been conducted.
Timely help
Issues: Children’s aid society; Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) A concerned adult contacted our Office on behalf of a youth who was denied a This link opens in a new tab Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) by a children’s aid society (CAS). VYSAs are available to 16- and …
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A concerned adult contacted our Office on behalf of a youth who was denied a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) by a children’s aid society (CAS). VYSAs are available to 16- and 17-year-olds who have left home because of concerns about their safety, and who are in need of child protection services.
ID help
Issues: Children’s aid society; Rights (Get help) A 14-year-old needed our help getting identification documents to register for school and access health care, after he was removed from his home by a children’s aid society (CAS) over safety concerns. The youth looked to his CAS worker for support …
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A 14-year-old youth needed our help getting identification documents to register for school and access health care, after he was removed from his home by a children’s aid society (CAS) over safety concerns.
Lost Opportunities
O N T A R I O O N TA R I O ’ S WATC H D O G Lost Opportunities Investigation into the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ implementation of the decision to close custody and detention programs at Creighton Youth Centre and J.J. Kelso Youth Centre OMBUDSMAN REPORT Paul Dubé, …
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Investigation into the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ implementation of the decision to close custody and detention programs at Creighton Youth Centre and J.J. Kelso Youth Centre.
