Manjit Pannu

The Ontario Court of Justice granted summary judgment in favour of the Children’s Aid Society of the Region of Peel, placing three children in extended society care due to chronic and long-standing child protection concerns including domestic violence, parental substance abuse, and mental health issues.

The court emphasized the children’s expressed wishes not to return to parental care, the lack of meaningful progress despite years of intervention, and the need for permanency and closure.

The decision carefully applied the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, and the principles from Hryniak v. Mauldin regarding summary judgment, underscoring the cautious approach required in child protection cases.

A motion for costs brought by the respondent father against the Children's Aid Society of the Region of Peel in a child protection matter.

The father challenged the Society's apprehension of his newborn son, arguing the Society acted unfairly and with reckless disregard when the dispute was merely between separated parents regarding discharge from hospital.

The court dismissed the motion, finding the Society acted reasonably and fairly in obtaining a warrant to apprehend the child following a serious conflict at the hospital involving verbal and physical confrontation between the parents, concerns raised about the mother's mental health, and intervention by nursing staff, security, and police.

The child was returned to the father's care within five days with a settlement agreement.