Children & Youth

Overview

The Ombudsman’s work has always included matters related to services for children and youth, from developmental, health, social and educational programs to those related to the youth justice system.

Under legislative changes that came into effect on May 1, 2019, the position of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario Child Advocate) was eliminated and his investigative function was transferred to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman has established a dedicated children and youth unit for this work. The Ombudsman’s jurisdiction now includes children’s aid societies, as well as other child protection matters under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Contacts

Children & Youth Unit
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4

Toll-free (inside Ontario only): 1-800-263-2841
Telephone: 416-325-5669
TTY (teletypewriter): 416-325-2648
Fax: 416-325-5681
Email: cy-ej@ombudsman.on.ca
Online complaint form
Notification of death or serious bodily harm

We can

Help with unresolved complaints or investigate systemic issues regarding such organizations as:
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- Youth custody facilities
- Children’s aid societies
- Child and Family Services Review Board
- Ontario Children’s Lawyer

See our full list of bodies we oversee.

We cannot

Take complaints about:
- Individual social workers, lawyers or other members of self-regulating professions
Overturn decisions of elected officials or direct them on public policy

See our list of Common Referrals.