Ont. children's aid societies to stop controversial hair-testing program

A doctor holds files in this undated stock photo.

TORONTO - Children's aid societies have been told to immediately stop using a controversial hair analysis program for drug and alcohol use as the province continues its review of the test that has been used in multiple child protection and criminal cases.

The province also says the review of the Motherisk hair analysis program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto will be expanded to include all tests done at the laboratory over the past five years.

Last year, Ontario's highest court set aside a criminal conviction on the basis of differing expert opinions about a particular hair-testing method previously used by Motherisk.

The current review by retired judge Susan Lang was originally much smaller in scope and the final report that was due by June 30 is now due Dec. 15.

Lang will also examine how closely Motherisk adhered to "internationally recognized forensic standards" going back 10 years.

The office of the attorney general says the rationale to stop the test by children's aid societies was made out of an "abundance of caution."