Ontario child welfare audits progressing with spring completion deadline [Video]

The Ford government has tapped KPMG to conduct audits of the child welfare sector, promising the results of the probes will be made public.

Last fall, Ontario announced financially-focused audits of 37 children’s aid organizations in the province after a push from Premier Doug Ford and internal data showing spending had increased, while the number of children in care had declined.

The audits came four years after the government vowed it would complete an as-yet-unfinished overhaul of the entire child welfare sector. Unveiling the audit plan in October, government officials focused on financial indicators like salaries, real estate portfolios and deficits.

A spokesperson for the government confirmed to Global News they were waiting for a finalized publication date for the audits and confirmed KPMG had been selected to complete the probes.

“Our focus is on high-quality and culturally appropriate services that prioritize safety, protection and the needs and circumstances of …