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Honorable Dalton McGuinty
Minister Of Ontario
Room 281, Legislative Bldg., Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario.
M7A 1 Aa
Re: closing of Huronia Regional Centre Orillia, Blenhiem, and Smith Falls
Dear Sir:
I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter Kathy, and the other residents involved in this misguided
intended move by your government.
Many of the residents have multiple disabilities (e.g. developmentally disable, mentally ill, physical
incapacity) and severe behavioural problems.
My daughter also has a severe medical problem, and has to be watch daily, as her medical condition has
to be looked after immediately when this occurs. At the Huronia Centre they have nurses around the
clock and doctors they can call on for further consultation before going to the hospital. In Orillia at
Soldier's Memorial Hospital the residents are given the best of care and treated with compassion and
empathy, they have been looking after the residents for a long time. This would not happen in Toronto
and many other areas.
Community Living Ontario, a lobby organization for group homes is the driving force behind the closure,
and talk of releasing the residents from a "locked up institution". The doors are locked for their
Protection, a good example is the tragedy in the"Oakville Group Home", where Randy Magridges was
able to walk out unnoticed and not found for two weeks, where he died in water not to far from the group
home. He also had been missing from the group home several times before this tradegy.
Liberal Minister Sandra Pupatello in a letter sent to the families of the residents, stated how great it will
be that they will close to family and their friends in the community. What friends is she talking about?
They have been at their residents since 1970 or earlier, they're friends are at the resident.
I have never had any questions or seen anything I would be disturb about re Kathy's time at Orillia, she
has had great care medically and socially, as they have great programs for the residents. I am at all times
kept in touch immediately re Kathy's health.
I am very upset re the plans to put her in a group home, as I know she will not adapt to new surroundings
and WILL NOT get the care she is receiving at this time.
The Administrator at Huronia on October 30, 2004 told us at a meeting how much money the government
is planning to spend (in the millions) to facilitate this move, this doesn't make SENSE at all, when the
residents are in the best place possible for them.
I pray with all my heart you will reconsider this move and do what is right for the residents mentioned
above. I will hold the government responsible if anything happens to my daughter if this move takes
place.
Yours truly,
Juanita Macpherson