This section is an excerpt from the Ontario Works Act, 1997 prescribed by the Province of Ontario.
The Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), 1999, states:
72. (1) If a person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, the person must promptly report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to a children’s aid society.
72 (4), (6.2) Professional persons and officials have the same duty as any member of the public to report a suspicion that a child is in need of protection. The Act recognizes, however, that persons working closely with children have a special awareness of the signs of child abuse and neglect, and a particular responsibility to report their suspicions, and so makes it an offence to fail to report.
Any professional or official who fails to report a suspicion that a child is or may be in need of protection, where the information on which that suspicion is based was obtained in the course of his or her professional or official duties, is liable on conviction to a fine of up to $1000.00.
All staff have a legal responsibility to document and report any circumstances which may indicate a child is not being cared for properly.
In Toronto, the numbers to call are:
Children’s Aid Society of Toronto 416-924-4646
Catholic Children’s Aid Society 416-395-1500
Jewish Family and Child Service of Toronto 416-638-7800
Call any of the above agencies if you do not know the religion of the person you are calling about.