Last 3 Ontario institutions for development disability will close

Community Action, Sept 20, 2004

TORONTO -- The Ontario government announced that it will be closing the last three remaining residential institutions for adults with a developmental disability by March 31, 2009. At the same time Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatelloa launched a major review of the province's developmental services system. "We need a comprehensive plan for the future--one that will lead us for the next 25 years and beyond," she stated.

Ontario government will:

* spend up to $110 million over the next four years to strengthen community-based services, including nearly $70 million to create new places to live for adults with a developmental disability who will be leaving provincially-operated institutions;

* Phase out the three remaining residential institutions for adults with a developmental disability by March 31, 2009.

Since 1987 Ontario has closed 13 of 16 provincially-operated institutions for adults with a developmental disability, and has arranged for more than 6,000 people to successfully make the transition to community life.