Quebec orders review after three youth in care die in under a month

Quebec's youth protection services are under intense scrutiny following the deaths of three children connected to Montreal's Batshaw Youth and Family Centres in March. The incidents have ignited criticism from opposition parties and prompted Santé Québec to order an independent review of youth services in the Montreal West Island network.

The Montreal Gazette reported that a 16-year-old girl in Batshaw's care died by suicide on March 3. This was followed by the death of a 17-year-old boy on March 17, who allegedly waited months for a youth protection worker's visit before dying by suicide. On March 31, a four-year-old girl died while her household was under Batshaw supervision.

“

I’m making sure that everything is put in place to ensure that things are done properly. While waiting for the results of the coroner’s inquest, I preferred not to comment so as not to pre-empt what we’ll find.

Brigitte Garceau, the Liberal critic for youth protection, accused Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant of remaining silent for nearly a week after the deaths surfaced. She called for an immediate independent investigation into each death and a broader review of Batshaw's practices, questioning the monitoring of children in youth protection services.

Carmant, in his first public comments, stated he was aware of the events and preferred not to comment while a coroner's inquest is pending. He acknowledged ongoing issues within the province's English-language youth protection services, including recruitment, retention, service delays, and wait lists. The Office of the National Inspector General will conduct the independent review of youth services within Santé Québec’s Montreal West Island network.

“

The protection of Quebec’s most vulnerable children requires accountability.