TORONTO – A mother of a man residing in a group home near Toronto, currently involved in a heated labor dispute, is calling for accountability following an incident where he was “savagely bitten” on the neck by another resident.
Jan Beddoe expressed her “absolute fury” after the Dec. 23 attack on her 47-year-old son Chris at the facility managed by Central West Specialized Developmental Services. This community is funded by the province and offers supportive living for adults with developmental disabilities, with branches located in Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, and Oakville.
The biting incident took place more than two months after around 40 residents were relocated to the main care facility near downtown Oakville to ensure adequate staffing was available for continuous care due to an anticipated strike by support staff.
Workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union walked off the job in mid-November, approximately 40 days after CWSDS requested a no-board report from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. Since then, agency staff have been filling in at the main Oakville site to assist residents.
Beddoe claims that Chris was attacked in his unit’s upstairs area while all staff members assigned there were attending a meeting. She mentioned that Chris had to make it up the stairs before anyone could hear him call for help.
Chris encountered a nurse on duty and was subsequently taken to a hospital where he received multiple stitches, according to Beddoe. The Canadian Press reviewed images of his bite wound which showed a deep gash stretching from his chin to his jawline.
“As soon as the incident happened, (I felt) terrible fear,” Beddoe said in an interview. “But once I knew he was all right and he was going to be all right, then I was just absolutely furious, beyond furious. I did not hear from the centre. I did not hear from house management.”
Jan Beddoe, left, is shown in this undated handout photo with her son Chris, who was “savagely bitten” on the neck by another resident of an Ontario group home for adults with disabilities in December 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – Jan Beddoe Jan Beddoe, left, is shown in this undated handout photo with her son Chris, who was “savagely bitten” on the neck by another resident of an Ontario group home for adults with disabilities in December 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – Jan Beddoe
Beddoe stated she holds the incident “fully responsible” due to understaffing and unqualified workers.. They don’t know these clients well enough to understand their individual needs.”
She added that Chris’s injury required daily care as it remains partially open and needs gauze packing every day for about another month.
CWSDS CEO Patricia Kyle declined to comment specifically on the bite incident but noted that “supervision was in place at the time of the incident.”
The organization is “deeply proud of the high-quality, compassionate care we provide people with complex developmental needs,” Kyle stated via email to The Canadian Press.
Union spokesperson Jolene Cushman mentioned that OPSEU is aware of what occurred.
“This is a dangerous situation that members have been warning could happen long before they went on strike,” she wrote in an email.
After being bitten, Chris returned home for two weeks. Beddoe shared that her family enjoyed a “lovely Christmas,” although they were still processing their shock.
Alongside regular care tasks for Chris-who has significant dietary restrictions due to Prader-Willi syndrome-Beddoe also took on bathing him and cleaning his wound daily.
“My one daughter took a week off work to stay with me and help take care of Chris because I can’t do it alone,” said the 73-year-old mother. “We just laid low and cared for him.”
Chris has since gone back to live at his Oakville group home but has moved into a different unit without any clients categorized as having “high needs” or exhibiting “high volatility,” according to Beddoe’s requests made through several letters sent to management.
“He is very content not being frightened,” she remarked while noting that Chris still hasn’t had any interview regarding this event conducted by CWSDS staff.Kyle stated that CWSDS has been “supporting and communicating extensively with those affected and their families regarding safety.”Despite this assurance though,
Beddoe remains worried about quality of care during this ongoing strike as agency personnel continue serving as primary caregivers.
She believes unfamiliarity with specific resident requirements makes conditions unsafe.
Additionally,she feels frustrated over what she describes as poor communication from CWSDS concerning these issues.”It’s not only her expressing worries either; more than twelve families raised alarms earlier,
written correspondence sent directly addressed Ontario Premier Doug Ford asking for assistance returning loved ones back to their original homes after relocating them without consent.
The letter emphasized how crucial it was for residents to be among regular staff familiarized with their unique situations. Family members again voiced concerns when front-line workers went out on strike come November,
with some openly questioning whether their relatives would receive adequate attention moving forward. Before anything happened involving Chris,
Beddoe’s daughter Shannon previously contacted the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services detailing issues present at the residence.
When discussions emerged within Ontario’s legislature late November, Michael Parsa-the Minister responsible-asserted every agency must uphold strong contingency planning ensuring optimal client support services. In response via email, the ministry confirmed conducting routine inspections across agencies stating allegations surrounding neglect or abuse could go through Report ON.
However, they didn’t comment directly relating either matter concerning Chris’ injury nor allegations brought forth regarding unsafe situations existing within CWSDS facilities. A tragic event transpired within December-a resident lost their life inside Oakville’s housing setup-and union representatives claimed circumstances worsened significantly thereafter; however Halton Regional Police reported no suspicion attached alongside this death. On January tenth, OPSEU President JP Hornick urged CWSDS’ board members via written correspondence requesting accountability amid ongoing complications arising related particularly towards health & safety protocols needing addressing urgently through emergency meetings ahead scheduled further discussion sessions forthcoming surrounding negotiations remained stagnant at present state while contract resolutions remained elusive even now continuing efforts progressing painfully slow too. With disputes between labor factions dragging longer-than-expected timespan altogether situational developments emerging surrounding someone like Christopher prompted widespread anxiety especially amongst other families involved waiting nervously within queue lines observing potential ramifications cascading down if nothing gets rectified posthaste soon enough later onwards thereafter hence aftermath resulting directly impacted theirs greatly too! “I think everyone feels: if this can happen once here among us then surely everyone else may find themselves victimized likewise.”This report by The Canadian Press first January fifteen twenty twenty-sixth
Cassidy Mc Mackon , The Canadian Press
Source link
Beddoe remains worried about quality of care during this ongoing strike as agency personnel continue serving as primary caregivers.
She believes unfamiliarity with specific resident requirements makes conditions unsafe.
Additionally,she feels frustrated over what she describes as poor communication from CWSDS concerning these issues.”It’s not only her expressing worries either; more than twelve families raised alarms earlier,
written correspondence sent directly addressed Ontario Premier Doug Ford asking for assistance returning loved ones back to their original homes after relocating them without consent.
The letter emphasized how crucial it was for residents to be among regular staff familiarized with their unique situations. Family members again voiced concerns when front-line workers went out on strike come November,
with some openly questioning whether their relatives would receive adequate attention moving forward. Before anything happened involving Chris,
Beddoe’s daughter Shannon previously contacted the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services detailing issues present at the residence.
When discussions emerged within Ontario’s legislature late November, Michael Parsa-the Minister responsible-asserted every agency must uphold strong contingency planning ensuring optimal client support services. In response via email, the ministry confirmed conducting routine inspections across agencies stating allegations surrounding neglect or abuse could go through Report ON.
However, they didn’t comment directly relating either matter concerning Chris’ injury nor allegations brought forth regarding unsafe situations existing within CWSDS facilities. A tragic event transpired within December-a resident lost their life inside Oakville’s housing setup-and union representatives claimed circumstances worsened significantly thereafter; however Halton Regional Police reported no suspicion attached alongside this death. On January tenth, OPSEU President JP Hornick urged CWSDS’ board members via written correspondence requesting accountability amid ongoing complications arising related particularly towards health & safety protocols needing addressing urgently through emergency meetings ahead scheduled further discussion sessions forthcoming surrounding negotiations remained stagnant at present state while contract resolutions remained elusive even now continuing efforts progressing painfully slow too. With disputes between labor factions dragging longer-than-expected timespan altogether situational developments emerging surrounding someone like Christopher prompted widespread anxiety especially amongst other families involved waiting nervously within queue lines observing potential ramifications cascading down if nothing gets rectified posthaste soon enough later onwards thereafter hence aftermath resulting directly impacted theirs greatly too! “I think everyone feels: if this can happen once here among us then surely everyone else may find themselves victimized likewise.”This report by The Canadian Press first January fifteen twenty twenty-sixth
Cassidy Mc Mackon , The Canadian Press
Source link
