In the early 1970s, the Ontario government sponsored two reports into the living
conditions in institutions. Both the Williston Report^15 which was released in
August 1971 and the Welch Report^16 released in 1973 identified the abuse and
neglect that was present in institutions and recommended moving people out of
institutions and into the community. In 1974 the Developmental Services Act was
passed. There is more on these reports and the Act set out below.
People First, along with other organizations such as Community Living, was
instrumental in lobbying the Ontario government to close all institutions in which
people with intellectual disabilities had been warehoused. People First Canada
produced a very powerful documentary called, The Freedom Tour, to raise
awareness both within Canada and internationally about the conditions of these
institutions and the need to find alternate arrangements to allow people to live in
the community of their choice.
Although it took over 30 years, all institutions in Ontario were eventually closed.
On March 31, 2009, The Freedom Tour was simultaneously shown in over 30
locations in Ontario to mark the closing of the final three institutions. To view the
trailer for The Freedom Tour, please go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13y4BI0Lets
D. Huronia Class ActionAlthough the institutions are closed, former residents continue to be negatively
impact by their experiences while living in theses institutions. Two former
residents proceeded with a class action claim for compensation. The law firm
Koskie Minsky represented the class of former residents of the Huronia Regional
(^15) Online: Ontario Department of Health, “Present Arrangements for the Cure and Supervision of
Mentally Retarded Persons in Ontario”, by Walter B. Williston, (Toronto: Ontario Ministry of
Community and Social Services
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/dshistory/legislation/Will 16 iston%20Report.pdf
Online: "Community Living for the Mentally Retarded in Ontario: A New Policy Focus", by
Robert Welch, Provincial Secretary for Social Development, 1973.
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/dshistory/legislation/Welch%20Report.pdf