Premier and Minister must take responsibility for abysmal state of residential care in Ontario

HAMILTON – NDP Children and Youth Services Critic Monique Taylor (MPP, Hamilton Mountain) released the following statement in response to inquest findings that animals had been removed from the residence in which Guy Mitchell and a eleven-year-old girl with autism were residing months prior to his death:

“The inquest into Guy Mitchell’s death has highlighted further disturbing details about the lack of oversight in Ontario’s residential care system.  I am appalled to learn that animals were removed from the residence Guy Mitchell and an eleven-year-old girl with autism were residing in months prior to his death.  If the SPCA deemed that the living conditions were unfit for animals it is preposterous to believe that they were fit for vulnerable human beings with complex special needs.  

The Premier and her Minister must take responsibility for the abysmal state of residential care in Ontario.  Given these further details, I am repeating my call for an open and transparent public review of residential care in Ontario.”