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The Ontario government has enlisted KPMG to perform audits on the province’s child welfare sector, vowing that the findings from these investigations will be made publicly available.
This initiative was announced last fall and comes after a call from Premier Doug Ford, as well as internal reports indicating that while expenditures in the child welfare system had risen, the number of children in care had actually decreased. A total of 37 children’s aid organizations are being scrutinized as part of these financial audits.
The audits are part of a broader campaign that the government began four years ago to reform the entire child welfare system—an effort that remains incomplete. When officials first revealed their audit strategy in October, they highlighted financial data, examining elements such as salaries, real estate assets, and budget deficits.
A government representative confirmed to Global News that the publication date for the audit results is still pending and confirmed that KPMG has been chosen to carry out the assessments. The spokesperson emphasized their commitment to delivering high-quality, culturally sensitive services that prioritize the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families.
“The review will include a comparative analysis of all 37 non-Indigenous children’s aid societies and deeper audits where necessary. The ministry will publicly share results of the review,” the spokesperson stated.
The government has not provided an update on whether it will meet the spring deadline initially set for these audits.
Challenges in the Child Welfare Sector
The audit announcement followed a tumultuous period for Ontario’s child welfare system, marked by investigative reporting that raised concerns about how children’s aid organizations operate. Reports from Global News revealed that, on average, a child connected to the care system dies every three days. Additionally, the Ontario ombudsman has been looking into incidents of children being housed in hotels, motels, and trailers. A recent series by The Toronto Star highlighted a particularly tragic case involving a young girl whose remains were found in a dumpster, shedding light on systemic failures within the organizations.
The audit promises to address the numerous challenges facing this critical sector. Nonetheless, Ontario Liberal MPP John Fraser criticized the initiative, indicating that merely conducting audits does not equate to taking necessary action to resolve the pressing issues at hand. He stated, “An audit’s not action; an audit’s looking at something.”
Fraser expressed concern that the government isn’t addressing the fundamental issues underlying the difficulties faced by children’s aid societies. He argued that the increasing costs within the system reflect a shift toward serving more children with complicated needs, which in turn escalates the cost of care for fewer youths. He emphasized the need for the government to provide adequate support for families dealing with children who have complex needs, rather than simply conducting an audit.
Overall, while the impending audits are a step toward transparency and accountability in Ontario’s child welfare system, many advocates and lawmakers argue that they fall short of addressing the core problems that affect vulnerable children and families.
Source
globalnews.ca