Province to review York CAS over workplace racism allegations

The province is launching a third-party review of York Region Children’s Aid Society in response to what it called “troubling allegations of racism, bullying and harassment.”

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services issued a press release and directive Friday, calling for a review of the agency’s workplace culture, processes and work on race and equity. “Our government has no tolerance for racism, discrimination, bullying, and harassment of any kind,” said Jill Dunlop, associate minister of Children’s and Women’s Issues, in a release.

“The allegations are troubling … and we do not take this matter lightly.”

Officials at the York Children’s Aid Society could not immediately be reached for comment.

The directive, which will come into effect on Friday, orders the CAS, which is responsible for children in care in all of York

Region, to co-operate in a review which will include an “assessment of workplace culture, including leadership, alleged bullying of harassment and staff, and the diversity and inclusivity of the workplace environment, assessment of human resources policies and procedures, and accommodation policies.”

The CAS will also be required to provide the ministry with a work plan to implement the One Vision One Voice protocols, which were developed through extensive community consultation in 2015 to help child-welfare agencies provide more culturally sensitive services to African Canadian children in care.