CM v. Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, 2026 CFSRB 64

BETWEEN:

CM Applicants

-and-

Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Respondent

INTERIM DECISION

Adjudicator: Michelaine Lahaie Date: April 28, 2026 Citation: 2026 CFSRB 64 Indexed as: CM v Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CYFSA s.192)

OVERVIEW

1This is an Application filed under section 192 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c.14, Sched.1, (the "Act"). The Applicant seeks a review of the Respondent's decision to not place the Child ("AS") with the Applicant for adoption.

2AS was placed with the Applicant over four years ago, three weeks after his birth. The Applicants applied for AS's adoption on December 12, 2025.

3The Respondent advised the Applicant by a letter dated April 22, 2026, that it made the decision not to place the AS with her for adoption and was pursuing a kith placement.

4On April 28, 2026, the Applicant filed this Application with the CFSRB.

ISSUE

5The issue is:

a. Is the Application eligible for review by the CFSRB?

RESULT

6The CFSRB finds that the Application is eligible for review.

NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

7When a person receives written notice under section 192 of the Act that a children's aid society has decided to refuse their application to adopt a particular child, they may apply within 10 days to the CFSRB for review of that decision.

ANALYSIS

8The application was filed within 10 days of the Applicant receiving written notice that the Respondent was refusing their application to adopt the Child. Accordingly, this application is eligible to proceed to a hearing.

DIRECTIONS

9To ensure that the hearing of the Application proceeds expeditiously, the CFSRB has set the first day of the hearing for May 4, 2026. A one-hour videoconference will be held on that date at 10:00 a.m. The CFSRB will send the parties a Notice of Hearing setting out the details for connecting to the videoconference on that date and time.

10The purpose of the first day of hearing is to:

identify any preliminary issues;
provide directions about evidence and witnesses;
set timelines for document disclosure and submission of witness statements;
set a date or dates for continuation of the hearing;
discuss the possibility of mediation; and
deal with any other necessary procedural matters.

1Subject to subsection 192(14) of the Act, subsection 192(13) of the Act explicitly precludes the Respondent from removing the Child from the Applicants until the CFSRB has completed its review of the Application.

11The CFSRB may issue further directions as necessary.

CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER

12Pursuant 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 on-line. 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.

Michelaine Lahaie

Vice-Chair