ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS: For immediate release

Ontario Ombudsman now has the power to investigate

Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society

TORONTO (October 15, 2010) – Ontario Ombudsman André Marin now has the jurisdiction to
investigate complaints about Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society, following the provincial
government’s appointment of a supervisor for the agency.

Children and Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten announced this week that she has appointed
Mr. Vince Tedesco to manage the society on an interim basis in place of its board of directors.
While normally the Ombudsman does not have jurisdiction over children’s aid societies in
Ontario, that changes when the provincial government takes direct control, since the
Ombudsman does have jurisdiction over the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Ontario is the only province in Canada whose Ombudsman does not have a mandate to oversee
child protection services. Despite this, the Ombudsman’s office receives many serious
complaints about these agencies every year that cannot be investigated. A total of 296
complaints about children’s aid societies were received in fiscal 2009-2010.

Complaints about the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society or any provincial government service
or agency may be made to the Ombudsman’s Office at 1-800-263-1830, or via the online
complaint form available at www.ombudsman.on.ca/en/make-a-complaint/complaint-
form.aspx.

-30-

Aussi disponible en français

For further information, please contact:

Linda Williamson Elena Yunusov Patricia Tomasi

Director of Communications Communications Officer Communications Officer
Tel: 416-586-3426 Tel: 416-586-3521 Tel: 416-586-3402
lwilliamson@ombudsman.on.ca eyunusov@ombudsman.on.ca ptomasi@ombudsman.on.ca