GTHA families in disbelief as group home loved ones are moved without consent

Families of people living in several Halton and GTA group homes say their lives have been turned upside down after their loved ones were moved into a new facility without their consent due to a labour dispute.

Families are concerned for siblings and children’s well-being.

Sheree Burnett’s son, Jay, has lived in a provincially-funded supportive living community called Tribeca in Oakville for around 12 years. He’s 35 and has autism, and needs daily support.

“We’ve pretty much been kept in the dark about a lot,” said Burnett.

Burnett was shocked when last month she received just three days’ notice that Jay — and around 35 other residents from similar homes across the region — would all be moved to a new facility due to a potential labour dispute.

“He’s very confused, very upset, very confused. Every morning Tribeca staff go in and wake him up or get him up and the first thing he says to them is ‘I want to go back to Tribeca’,” said Burnett.

Rabia Khedr is a disability advocate. She says the Oakville home where her brother lives has now become overcrowded as more residents move in. And he’s not getting the same level of care as he used to.

“And now, we are all feeling that their safety, security and well-being is not top of mind. It’s been seriously compromised and they are at risk,” said Khedr.

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Central West Specialized Development Services did not respond to CHCH News’ request for an interview Tuesday.

In a statement, CEO Patricia Kyle writes: “We made this difficult decision with the best interests of the people we serve at heart … Moving these individuals temporarily to a central location ensures CWSDS management and leadership have the appropriate number of staff with the necessary training, expertise and resources to continue providing 24/7 supportive living services for the duration of a potential strike.”

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) says its members have not taken a strike vote.

At a rally outside of the Oakville facility Tuesday, the union says they’re worried about being locked out by the employer, who has been legally allowed to do so for nearly two weeks.

“The individuals that our members serve do very well with routine and having a stable environment, and this is the opposite of a stable environment,” said Patrick Fry-Smith Riera, a spokesperson for OPSEU.

The union says CWSDS is currently training temporary agency workers to take over in the event of a dispute — and families are concerned new workers won’t be familiar with the complex needs of their loved ones.

Several family members, including Burnett and Khedr, have sent an open letter to the premier, asking for the government to step in and provide more funding to organizations like CWSDS.

When asked about the letter, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services tells CHCH News that collective bargaining is between the organization and union, and that the ministry requires agencies to develop a contingency plan.

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