Honourable Helena Jaczek,
Minister of Community and Social Services
80 Grosvenor St,
Hepburn Block 6th Floor,
Toronto, ON M7A 1E9
[email protected]
Shafiq Qaadri
Chair, Standing Committee on Justice Policy
[email protected]
September 12, 2015
Dear Minister Jaczek and Mr. Qaadri,
Recently, it has been brought to my attention that Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, and the related provincially-incorporated Egale Youth Housing Inc. had several individuals that were requested to speak before the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on June 3, 2015 as guests of Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park.
In the testimony provided, the Chair of the Committee opened by stating,
“I invite our next presenters to please come forward from Egale: Helen, Jane, Ronnie and Mike. Thank you, colleagues. Welcome. You’ve seen the protocol. Please introduce yourselves”
What followed came testimony from Ronnie Ali, who works under Executive Director, Helen Kennedy who sits as a Board Member for Egale Youth Housing Inc. and also as Executive Director of Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, which funds campaigns for Egale Youth Housing Inc. Mr. Ali began his testimony by stating,
“Good afternoon, and thank you for inviting us to speak. My name is Ronnie Ali. I’m a psychotherapist working with Egale. I work exclusively with LGBTQ2S youth in Toronto.”
A subsequent email on August 20, 2015 from Mark Pioro, JD, Director, Professional Conduct & Deputy Registrar for the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario states,
“Mr. Ali is not a Member …only CRPO Members can use the title “psychotherapist” or claim to be qualified as a psychotherapist.”
Mr. Qaadri, my first concern is regarding Egale’s misrepresentation of staff in Committee testimony. When the bill was passed, it was done so based on recommendations by individuals that are falsely claiming titles that they do not legally possess. I am not opposed to the bill, however I am opposed to mispresenting oneself before a Committee, and would appreciate your response on this matter.
In addition, further investigation into the organization of Egale raises a series of other concerns.
As you may or may not be aware, Egale Youth Housing Inc. is preparing to open an LGBTQ-specific youth shelter in downtown Toronto, one of two recently approved by the City of Toronto for funding. This shelter is in addition to the organization’s LGBTQ youth Crisis Centre which opened in April of 2014.
In trying to ascertain whom within the organization has the qualifications necessary to be advising youth on crisis situations, many of whom Egale acknowledges are experiencing serious thoughts of suicide or whom may have even attempted suicide previously, I cannot find an individual listed with the organization who is noted to have the appropriate credentials for handling such situations. I note the organization lists Jane Walsh from CUPE as the Program Manager, and although Ms. Walsh may have extensive experience in assisting with crisis situations, her credentials, and clarity around her role with both Egale and CUPE remain unclear as well.
Ms. Jaczek, an LGBTQ Crisis Centre and Transitional Housing Facility are important developments for a community that does experience over-representation when it comes to homelessness and suicide. But it is vital, in approving and operating facilities such as these, for the organizations that run them to ensure they are done so with individuals who possess the necessary credentials to manage such delicate and important risks that come with being in potentially life-saving situations. I note that several individuals have been involved with the other LGBTQ Transitional Housing Facility that was approved by the City of Toronto, Sprott House operated by the YMCA. My understanding is that this facility does have individuals with the appropriate credentials, and those individuals have clearly indicated their credentials publicly on various websites.
As I have noted above, Egale has already misrepresented themselves in one situation, before an official Legislative Committee hearing no less. I am calling upon your urgent attention to confirm for me that the Province of Ontario has done all due diligence necessary in ensuring that the laws are adequate to protect these youth, and that the organizations which are setting up to run facilities such as this are monitored and approved under appropriate supervision, and complaint with all guidelines of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, perhaps more so than the credentials that are checked for testimonies given at Committee Hearings. These youth deserve the protection of the Ontario government and also the volunteers that will be giving of their time to assist the organization with its mandate.
Thank you for your time, I look forward to your prompt reply.
Kind Regards,
Adrian Cornelissen
Cc Cheri DiNovo, MPP, Parkdale-High Park
Cc Kristen Wong-Tam, Counsellor, Ward 37
