Quebec urging action from Ontario on Jewish sect that fled province

A sign indicates the stop at the Via Rail station in Chatham, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Chris Campbell/ CTV Windsor)

MONTREAL -- Child-welfare authorities in Quebec say they've briefed their counterparts in Ontario on an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect that fled to that province last week amid allegations of child neglect.

The child-welfare office that serves the region north of Montreal says it is offering its assistance but will wait to see how authorities in Chatham-Kent and Windsor proceed.

Authorities in Ontario say they are aware of the group's presence in the region. The local police force in the Chatham-Kent area has given a similar statement.

Members of the Lev Tahor community of about 200 people -- about half of them children-- were under investigation by social services in Quebec for alleged child neglect.

The investigation was triggered last winter and Quebec welfare authorities have described the situation for some children as "serious."

They also allege the situation "establishes a presumption of neglect against children." The group has denied the children are subject to neglect.

A spokesman for the group has said they want to educate their children according to their own religious beliefs and fled to Ontario to avoid Quebec education laws.

The hasty departure from their homes in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts took place a little over a week ago.

The estimated 40 families have begun moving into homes in Ontario and the spokesman said the move had been in the works for some time.