Oakville group home resident’s death raises safety concerns amid labour dispute

A recent death at a group home run by Central West Specialized Developmental Services in Oakville, Ont. has renewed its calls for action to better support the people that call the facility home.

While the death of an adult living at the home was not labelled suspicious, advocates and family members of residents say it’s a concern and it’s not just about caring for them — it’s about caring about them.

Halton police said an adult living at the care home died on Dec. 19.

Crews responded to 53 Bond St. that morning to provide life-saving measures to the individual but they were unsuccessful. No cause of death has been announced.

Officers are not considering the death suspicious but advocates for the facility’s residents say it’s an added stress on top of an already precarious position.

Rabia Khedr, a concerned sister of a resident, says the death is unsettling.

“Not suspicious doesn’t mean that it’s not the result of the change in the living environment,” Khedr said. “Families are talking to one another. We know that the health and wellbeing of our loved ones has been compromised.”

The group home has undergone several changes in recent months after dozens of vulnerable adults were relocated there in the fall with only days’ notice, as management prepared for staffing shortages and strike action from support workers.

Relatives of adults moved into the home say the disruption has been incredibly difficult.

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Alena Malina, a concerned parent, said many details are shrouded in secrecy.

“Everything is confidential. There are ambulances coming here almost everyday,” Malina said. “We don’t know what’s going on. We as parents [want to know] who has the power to fix this problem? Will it go on forever?”

The union representing support workers called Friday’s death a tragic loss and say employees have been raising alarms over unsafe conditions for weeks.

“The situation inside for us became untenable,” said Julie Geiss, president of OPSEU Local 249. “Working conditions were absolutely horrendous.” 

In a statement, Patricia Kyle, the CEO of Central West Specialized Developmental Services said, “our hearts go out to the family members and loved ones of the individual who passed away. We are disappointed that OPSEU is using this loss of life, which is entirely unrelated to the labour disruption, in an attempt to strengthen the union’s bargaining position.”

Family members with loved ones living in the Oakville facility say the province needs to step in.

A spokesperson for Michael Parsa, Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services told CHCH News that bargaining is a matter between the employer and the unions, and the ministry is saddened by the recent death.

Meanwhile, Central West Specialized Developmental Services say they followed all protocols and procedures in this situation.

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