Number of kids who died under Ontarios care network reaches new high [Video]

A total of 134 children died under the umbrella of Ontario’s care network in 2023, according to new data, the highest number since the provincial government began consolidating and tracking the figures.

Internal data obtained by Global News using freedom of information laws summarizes and records the number of children who died in care, with an open social work file or a case that had closed within 12 months.

Over the three years, between 2020 and 2022, an average of 118 kids were recorded to have died. The number equated to roughly one child every three days.

Now, the most recent figures show the number has risen.

In 2023, there were 134 deaths for children under Ontario’s care network, compared to 121 in 2022, 129 in 2021 and 104 in 2021.

The Ford government began tracking the data in its current configuration in 2020.

“It is very concerning,” Ontario Liberal MPP John Fraser told Global …