Family members of adults with autism and other developmental disabilities under the care of a charity in the Greater Toronto Area are urging the province to step in following their loved ones’ involuntary relocation amid a labor dispute.
Christine Burnett’s nephew, Jay Gualitieri, 35, has resided at a group home operated by Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) in Oakville since 2012. However, at the close of September, he and other residents from various CWSDS group homes in Mississauga, Milton, Georgetown, and Burlington were transferred to the charity’s Oakville headquarters without their families’ consent, as revealed by the support workers’ union involved in the conflict.
Family members express their dismay over the lack of choice in the matter, with Burnett questioning the absence of consent and the disruption of the residents’ familiar and secure routines at their previous group homes.
In response to the relocation, concerned relatives have penned an open letter to Premier Doug Ford, appealing for their loved ones’ return to their former group homes, emphasizing the importance of familiar settings and established support staff who understand their unique needs.
The premier’s office declined to provide a comment in response to CBC Toronto’s inquiry. The families note that approximately 30 to 40 residents were affected by the relocation, with CWSDS citing the move as preparatory for a potential lockout or strike amid the ongoing dispute between the charity and support workers responsible for the residents’ care.
The charity did not respond to requests for comment, but CWSDS CEO Patricia Kyle expressed a commitment to minimizing disruptions for the residents, families, and community partners. She remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached between CWSDS and the union to avert further disruptions to the care provided.
Meanwhile, family members feel their loved ones are being leveraged as bargaining tools in the dispute. Rabia Khedr’s brother, Shahrukh Khan, aged 50, was already residing at the Oakville location before the additional residents were relocated there. Khedr highlights her brother’s sociable nature and worries that the move infringes on his rights and those of the other residents.
The families have sought support from Robert Lattanzio, the executive director of ARCH Disability Law Centre, who condemned the forced relocations as a violation of the residents’ rights and potentially harmful consequences arising from the evolving labor dispute.
Disruptions to residents’ routines can have adverse effects on their health, causing confusion, anxiety, and potential aggressive reactions, as noted by Burnett. She emphasizes the importance of stable environments in supporting residents like Jay Gualitieri, underscoring the positive impact of consistent care.
Another concern raised by family members is CWSDS’s plan to bring in temporary agency staff in the event of a lockout or strike, a move that could further alienate the residents, according to Khedr.
In response to the issues highlighted, the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services underscored the importance of collective bargaining between employers and unions, requiring agencies to develop contingency plans to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and service recipients during any service disruptions.