AUDITOR GENERAL SLAMS GOVERNMENT FOR LACK OF OVERSIGHT FOR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

(Queen’s Park) –Today, Ontario’s Auditor General released her annual report for 2016 and found that after 13 years and three reports, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services is still not ensuring children and youth receive the mental health services they need.

One major concern the Auditor General found is the Ministry is inadequately addressing issues raised in the 2003 and 2008 reports, including not monitoring the delivery of service by Ontario’s mental health agencies to ensure children and youth are receiving adequate treatment in a timely manner.

“It’s no wonder there has been a 50 per cent rise in hospitalization of children and youth with mental health problems,” Jones said. “The Minister and government at-large are failing to ensure our province’s most vulnerable children are receiving appropriate support when they need it most,” Jones said.

Another concern raised by the Auditor General that was highlighted in previous reports, is the Ministry continues to fund mental health agencies based on historical allocations, rather than on the needs of each agency.

“The Minister is providing nearly half a billion dollars to mental health providers across the province; but is failing to ensure this funding is going to where it’s needed most,” Jones said.

“It’s time for the Minister to work with his fellow Ministers and service providers to ensure our mental health system delivers the best outcomes for our province’s children and youth, before they reach a point of crisis,” Jones said.

To read more about what Jones is doing in the Legislature please visit: www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Christopher Dacunha
416-325-1898
sylvia.jonesla@pc.ola.org