CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REVIEW BOARD
BETWEEN:
MG Applicant
-and-
Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Respondent
DECISION
Adjudicator: Michelaine Lahaie Date: January 02, 2026 Citation: 2026 CFSRB 2 Indexed as: MG v Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CYFSA s.120)
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
MG, Applicant Self-represented
Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, Respondent DC, Counsel
OVERVIEW
1This is an Application (the “Application) filed with the Child and Family Services Review Board (“CFSRB”) under section 120 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c.14, Sched.1 (the “Act”).
2The Applicant is the mother of one child (“the child”). The Application was accepted by the CFSRB on December 16, 2025. It was found eligible to proceed on December 18, 2025 under section 120(4)4 and section 120(4)5 of the Act, in that the Applicant alleged that she was not given the opportunity to be heard and represented when decisions affecting her interests were made, or a chance to be heard when she raised concerns about the services she is receiving and she alleged that the Respondent failed to provide her with reasons for decisions that affected her interests.
3The Respondent filed its response on December 23, 2025, seeking to have the CFSRB dismiss the Application.
ISSUE
4The issue is whether the CFSRB has the jurisdiction to review the Application.
RESULT
5I find that the CFSRB does not have jurisdiction to review the Application, and it must be dismissed.
ANALYSIS
6Rule 22.1 of the CFSRB Rules of Procedure directs that the CFSRB will either make its decision based on an application and response or decide to hold a hearing within twenty days of determining eligibility. I find that I have sufficient information before me to render a decision in this matter.
7The Applicant describes her complaint as “extremely narrow, administrative in nature and made solely to prevent misinterpretation of the Society’s own documentation”. She seeks to have the Respondent sign a “scope-only clarification closing letter” that she drafted that provides greater detail around an investigation conducted by the Respondent.
8The Applicant requests that the CFSRB:
a. Order the Respondent to issue the scope-only clarification of its February 1, 2024 letter using the template provided by the Applicant (dates, allegation, and scope);
b. Require that the clarification be attached to all future disclosures of the February 1, 2024 letter;
c. Provide any additional directions necessary to ensure that the Respondent complies with its obligations of transparency, fairness, and accuracy in its documentation and communications.
9The Respondent argues that the remedies sought by the Applicant are beyond the CFSRB’s jurisdiction and therefore requests that the Application be set aside.
Part X Personal Information
10Section 315 of the Act describes the process for correction to a record, including the addition of information. Section 315(8) details what a complainant can do if a request to amend a record is denied. It states:
If the service provider refuses or is deemed to have refused the request, in whole or in part,
(a) the individual is entitled to make a complaint about the refusal to the Commissioner under section 316; and
(b) in the complaint, the burden of proof in respect of the refusal lies on the service provider.
11I find that the Applicant’s request that the Respondent issue a clarification to its February 1, 2024 closing letter is a request for a correction to a document. Directing the correction of documents falls under the jurisdiction of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, as indicated in Part X of the Act. The CFSRB does not have the jurisdiction to direct changes to documents.
Section 120 Jurisdiction
12Section 120(7) articulates the sole remedies available to the CFSRB for complaints against a society. In applications filed under section 120, the CFSRB does not act as an appeal body for decisions made by the society. Instead, the CFSRB’s focus is on the quality of communications between the Respondent and the Applicant, particularly where the Respondent made decisions that may have affected the Applicant’s interests, and whether the Respondent heard the Applicant and provided the Applicant with reasons for its decisions.
13Under Section 120(7) of the Act, the CFSRB may:
a) order the society to proceed with the complaint made by the complainant in accordance with the complaint review procedure established by regulation;
b) order the society to provide a response to the complainant within a period specified by the Board;
c) order the society to comply with the complaint review procedure established by regulation or with any other requirements under this Act;
d) order the society to provide written reasons for a decision to a complainant; or
e) dismiss the complaint.
14I find that the remedies requested by the Applicant are beyond those available to the CFSRB and the Application must be dismissed.
ORDER
15The Application is dismissed.
CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER
16Pursuant to Rules 9.3 and 9.4 of the CFSRB’s Rules of Procedure, parties and their representatives must not use, share, discuss or disclose any CFSRB documents or decisions or any other documents or information provided or used in this Application with anyone, including through the media or online. The CFSRB prohibits the use of any of this information for any purpose outside of the CFSRB’s proceedings, except with an order of the Court or the CFSRB, as appropriate.
Dated, January 02, 2026.
Michelaine Lahaie
Michelaine Lahaie Vice-Chair