Calls for help will now go unanswered as Child Advocate, French Language Commissioner offices shuttered

Today saw the official transfer of some staff at the Ontario Child Advocate’s office and the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner to the Ontario Ombudsman’s office.

In the transition, the government eliminated the Advocate’s mandate to investigate the deaths of children in government care, to advise children and youth of their rights while receiving government services, and to advocate for them. The cancellation of these services saw dozens of AMAPCEO members laid off.

AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer condemned this government’s decision. “These heartless cuts mean that young people’s calls for help will go unanswered,” said Bulmer. “Add to that the loss of dozens of caring, hardworking professionals, and it’s nothing short of a devastating move for Ontario.”

The staff at the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner protected the rights of Ontario citizens to receive government services in French. It remains to be seen what the impact of the merger will have on these services.

AMAPCEO members now at the Ontario Ombudsman’s office are still protected by their collective agreements. The union has been working with the Ombudsman’s office and this government throughout this transition.

The union will continue to call on this government to reinstate these services and restore them as independent offices to provide the quality public services, transparency, and accountability this government promised and that Ontarians deserve.