Ontario Premier Doug Ford has pledged to conduct a comprehensive audit of the province’s children’s aid agencies following alarming reports about systemic failures in caring for vulnerable children and teens. The move comes in response to investigative reports revealing that children with complex health needs were being housed in inadequate facilities such as hotels, Airbnbs, and office buildings due to a lack of proper care homes.
Ford acknowledged the widespread mismanagement of taxpayer funds by some children’s aid agencies and vowed to get to the bottom of the issue. “We’re hearing nightmare stories about the abuse of taxpayers’ money,” Ford said, pledging a thorough investigation into the agencies. However, advocates warn that a financial audit alone may not fix the broader crisis. Former Ontario child and youth advocate Irwin Elman cautioned that focusing solely on financial mismanagement ignores the deeper systemic problems that are putting children at risk.
As the province moves forward with the audit, many are hopeful it will lead to meaningful reforms in how Ontario cares for children with complex needs, while also addressing the gaps in oversight and accountability within the system.