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Curious about life inside Ontario’s biggest and oldest facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Throughout its 133-year existence, Huronia Regional Centre kept its operations hidden from the public eye. However, internal government documents and inspection findings, revealed during a 2013 class-action lawsuit settlement, unveiled a distressing reality of the institution’s environment.
Here’s an overview of the appalling conditions and mistreatment documented at Huronia.
Overcrowding Challenges at Huronia
During inspections in the 1940s and 1950s, officials discovered overcrowded dormitories and day rooms where many residents were crammed together. In the 1960s, children and youth would gather around a television post-meals, portraying a stark environment. In 1968, the institution’s population peaked at 2,948 residents, surpassing its capacity of 1,400 as identified in a 1968 inspection.
Poor State of the Facilities
By the 1940s, many of Huronia’s structures were run-down and unsuitable for human living. Wards had wooden floors that constantly reeked of human waste due to regular scrubbing, leading to floor deterioration and poor maintenance. Residents were also exploited for unpaid labor, with instances of physical harm resulting from strenuous cleaning tasks.
Winters were especially harsh at Huronia, with inadequate insulation and issues such as snow drifts inside the buildings. In some cases, residents were subjected to unheated seclusion rooms for extended periods to manage disruptive behavior.
Unsanitary Conditions and Health Issues
Residents who required assistance with personal hygiene were often left in unclean conditions. Maggots were discovered in soiled linens during laundry sorting, showing the lack of proper care. Sanitation efforts faced resistance, with reports of staff neglecting basic hygiene practices like handwashing before food preparation.
The prevalence of diseases was rampant due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Infectious diseases like hepatitis B were more common among Huronia residents compared to the general population, highlighting the health risks they faced. Parasitic infections were widespread, with concerns about furniture sharing to prevent further spread of diseases.
Failure to Meet Care Standards
Despite evolving care standards set by the American Association on Mental Deficiency, Huronia struggled to meet even the basic requirements, including staff-to-patient ratios and quality of care. The institution’s conditions continued to worsen over the years, even as the resident population decreased.
Declining Standards despite Population Reduction
Despite a decline in resident numbers in the 1970s, Huronia failed to meet care standards set in 1964 and 1971. Reports in 1986 indicated worsening conditions compared to a decade prior. The facility permanently closed on March 31, 2009, with doubts remaining about meeting the revised care standards.
The legacy of suffering at Huronia Regional Centre left lasting scars on residents, ensuring that none departed the institution unharmed, emotionally or physically.
Mitchell Wilson, a Toronto-born disability rights advocate, has been actively researching the history of Huronia Regional Centre since 2015 as part of the group Remember Every Name.
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