Class actions launched against Ont. over 16 facilities for developmentally disabled

TORONTO - A Toronto law firm says class action claims have been launched on behalf of former residents of 16 provincially-operated institutions for people with developmental disabilities.

Koskie Minsky LLP said Tuesday in a release that the province of Ontario has been served with class action claims alleging abuse of residents.

The claims allege that numerous specific recommendations were made directly to the province to identify, halt, report and eliminate abuse of residents.

But it's alleged no adequate internal safeguards were put into place to adequately prevent or report abuse of the facilities' residents.

Kirk Baert of Koskie Minsky says "these victims were helpless and at the mercy of the government."

The allegations included in the claims have not been proven in court.

The institutions listed include: