A new report from Ontario’s Ombudsman suggests families are still being forced to surrender their children to access essential care, nearly 20 years after the problem was first brought to light.
The report, released last week, reveals families with children facing complex mental health or developmental needs are being told to give up custody to Children’s Aid Societies in order to get necessary support. It mirrors the findings of former Ombudsman André Marin, who reported on the same issue in 2005.
Retired Highland Shores Children’s Aid executive director Tami Callahan says it’s heartbreaking to see the same failures flagged in André Marin’s 2005 report still showing up in 2025.
She says fixing the system requires more than funding – it demands real leadership across Ministries and community agencies.
Callahan says the children at the heart of this crisis deserve better than another report with no action.
The Ombudsman’s report calls for coordinated action, transparency, and regular public updates on progress.
Callahan says it’s time for real accountability and that starts with putting children first.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
