Media Release January 30, 2006
Ruling Confirms Closing of Institutions
Simcoe Community Services applauds the Ontario Divisional Court ruling handed down by Mr. Justice Charles Hackland on Thursday, January 26th, 2006.
The decision confirmed that the province has the legal authority to shut the three remaining facilities (Huronia Regional Centre, Orillia; Southwestern Regional Centre, Cedar Springs and Rideau Regional Centre, Smith Falls) down by 2009 and to assist its residents to make the transition to community living. Justice Hackland wrote that “the option of continuing to reside there in the long-term will not be open to the remaining residents.”
As an organization, Simcoe Community Services hopes that families, community-based support organizations and the government can come together in good faith to develop the best plans for each individual as they move from institutions into community living options.
Research and experience have shown that community living provides a better quality of life for individuals. Simcoe Community Services has been supporting former residents of institutions since the 1980’s when the movement to community placements began.
For more information and/or further comment, please contact David Barber, President, Simcoe Community Services at 1-800-961-9144.