Release Date: March 2, 2021

KIRKLAND LAKE, ON — On Monday, March 1, 2021, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) was advised by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS) that the Pineger Youth Centre in Kirkland Lake is being permanently closed effective April 30, 2021, as part of a broad provincial restructuring of youth justice services.

Since the introduction of the Youth Criminal Justice Act a focus on prevention, diversion and community-based programs has contributed to a 81% reduction of youth admitted to custody and detention in Ontario (from 2004-05 to 2019-20), meaning there are approximately 8,500 fewer admissions now than in 2004-05.

As a continuation of the measured and staged approach to modernizing youth justice services, the government is proceeding with the discontinuation or bed reduction of a number of custody/detention facilities across Ontario.

“This decision by the Ministry to reduce capacity in the youth justice system is not a reflection of the quality of the service provided by our dedicated staff but rather the result of an under-utilized system which can no longer be sustained,” said John Raymond, Executive Director of NEOFACS. “I want to acknowledge the commitment and service delivery of our Pineger employees who are impacted by these decisions.”

The youth currently​​ in the program are being transferred out of the facility immediately and no new admissions will occur.

NEOFACS is committed to working with the OPSEU Local 665 Union and the nearly 40 affected staff during this transition phase.

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About NEOFACS:

North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. For more information, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.

For more information, please contact:

Mélanie Watson, Communications Coordinator
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
705-360-2121 | melanie.watson@neofacs.org