Children reportedly housed in motels, hotels, trailers and offices in Ontario sparks investigation

A massive investigation has been launched in Ontario regarding the placement of children in welfare care in motels, hotels, offices and trailers. 

In an official dispatch from the office of the Ombudsman of Ontario — Paul Dubé — the Ombudsman announced that he would be launching the investigation of his own accord, as he has received numerous troubling reports indicating that children and youths are being inappropriately housed throughout the province.

“We are aware of numerous incidents across the province of children being placed in these unlicensed settings, many of which have raised some serious concerns about their safety, privacy and comfort,” the Ombudsman said in an official statement. 

Further details from the Ombudsman’s office revealed that staff in service of the counselor have already visited the homes of some of these children to confirm these reports.

Additional information noted that certain children’s aid societies throughout Ontario have utilized these types of unlicensed settings – including spaces in their own offices – as an act of desperation, as there has been an increased lack of appropriate options for housing. 

These issues become further amplified when looking for appropriate spaces for young people with special needs/challenging behaviours.

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“It is our intent to determine why this is happening and, if applicable, make recommendations to ensure the rights of these vulnerable young people are respected,” said Ombudsman Dubé in an official statement. 

At the time of publication, an investigation has been launched in tandem with the Ombudsman’s Children and Youth Unit with support from the Special Ombudsman Response Team.