Hundreds of Ontario Parents Were Denied Pandemic Payments They Were Entitled to. Here Is Why
The Ombudsman said five programs distributed over $2 billion while repeated flaws and weak custody checks left hundreds of eligible families unpaid.
- The Ontario Ministry of Education has accepted all 14 recommendations following acting Ombudsman Barbara Finlay's investigation into five pandemic-era direct payment programs that unfairly denied funds to eligible parents and guardians.
- Released this week, the Ombudsman's report, "Catching Up on Fairness," details how five direct payment programs distributing over $2 billion failed to verify custody, allowing ineligible claimants to receive benefits meant for children.
- According to Finlay, the ministry's "first-come, first-serve basis" forced families in high-conflict situations to be told to "work it out themselves," while bureaucrats "rolled over" eligibility, ensuring families denied once were denied again.
- Emma Testani, press secretary for Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra, stated the programs were "largely successful" despite being "plagued by problems," noting the government provided financial support to millions during the pandemic.
- Finlay recommended that future direct payment programs include comprehensive planning, adequate staffing, and consistent verification methods to ensure funds reach intended recipients instead of repeating the administrative errors that plagued previous initiatives.
18 Articles
18 Articles
The Toronto Star
Hundreds of parents unfairly denied COVID-19 payments, acting ombudsman says
TORONTO - A new report by Ontario’s acting ombudsman says hundreds of parents were unfairly denied payments during the COVID-19 pandemic because the province gave the money to someone else.
Hundreds of Ontario parents were denied pandemic payments they were entitled to. Here is why
Hundreds of Ontario parents did not receive payments that they were entitled to during the COVID-19 pandemic because the money was sent to someone else instead, a new report from the province’s acting ombudsman states.
Ontario unfairly denied pandemic payouts to some parents, guardians: ombudsman's report
Some parents and guardians eligible for direct payment programs launched by the Ontario government during the pandemic years were unfairly denied funds, the province's acting ombudsman says in a new report.
Ontario Ombudsman finds families unfairly denied COVID‑era payments
Ontario’s Ministry of Education has accepted all 14 recommendations following a new Ombudsman investigation that found five direct‑payment programs launched between 2020 and 2023 unfairly denied funds to eligible parents and guardians. The report — Catching Up on Fairness — outlines how families seeking financial support during school disruptions were repeatedly turned away because someone […]
Hundreds of parents unfairly denied COVID-19 payments, acting ombudsman says – 105.9 The Region
TORONTO — A new report by Ontario’s acting ombudsman says hundreds of parents were unfairly denied payments during the COVID-19 pandemic because the province gave the money to someone else. In a report released this week, Barbara Finlay says more than $2 billion was distributed to parents and guardians between 2020 and 2023 through five different programs meant to help children whose education was disrupted during the pandemic. Finlay says her o…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
