MPP Gretzky rips Ford government for no longer tracking deaths of children in care

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Children, Community, and Social Services Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) blasted the Ford government for no longer tracking data on the deaths of children under the care of a children’s aid society.

Data obtained by Global News via Freedom of Information (FOI) requests revealed that from 2020 through 2022, 354 children connected to Ontario’s child welfare system died.

“This is irresponsible and frankly sickening,” said Gretzky. “These are children who are known to the system, and the government has stopped tracking the very data meant to keep them safe.

“Doug Ford’s Conservatives think that by pretending the problem doesn’t exist, it will simply go away. These children don’t deserve to be so heartlessly ignored and cast aside. We need accountability — not audits or reviews that lead nowhere.

“Children in care often have complex mental health or behavioural needs. Without specialized placements and supports, agencies staffed by overwhelmed workers are forced to manage crisis after crisis, with no long-term solutions from the Ford government.

“These agencies need stable funding, proper staffing, and appropriate placement for high-needs children. Ford must give it to them, and immediately resume tracking and publicly reporting on the deaths of children in care.”