FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December
14, 2005
Regional centre court victory gives
families hope
OTTAWA – Residents of Ontario’s three remaining regional
centres and their families have won a significant court
victory after two days of hearings in Ontario Divisional
Court. There, a three-judge panel has ruled to continue a stay
that prevents moving residents out of the facilities without
the families’ permission.
OPSEU President Leah Casselman said this comes as a partial
sigh of relief for those who have been vigorously fighting the
closures.
“Today, families and residents who rely on these centres can
breathe a short sigh of relief,” Casselman said. “However, the
fight is not over. We will continue our campaign to stop the
government from closing these much-needed facilities.”
The judges in Ottawa ruled yesterday that a stay put in place
by the Ontario Superior Court on Sept. 29, 2005 must continue
until 30 days after they make a decision on whether the
province is allowed to close the Rideau Regional Centre,
Huronia Regional Centre and the Southwestern Regional Centre.
In addition the judges extended the stay, which was
originally granted to Rideau Regional Centre, to include
Huronia and Southwestern. Lawyers for the residents and their
families argue that Ontario law only allows the government to
operate and maintain the centres, not to close them. A
decision by the judges is not expected until early in 2006.
Ontario’s last three regional centres house residents with
severe developmental disabilities. Families of the residents
and workers at the facilities maintain that these residents
cannot be properly cared for in community settings. Many of
the residents have lived in the facilities for 30 years or
more, and most are over 50 years old.
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For further information:
Sarah Jordison (416) 453-8049
