Ontario Trillium Foundation
Accessibility bought with public money: disowned
Ontario paid $194,700 to adapt a refugee employment programme and hire a Client Relations Lead. The grantee announced that its accessibility increased. Two years later it refused a refugee claimant who asked to be served in writing. The agency that paid declared accessibility outside its role.
Grounds
The grant paid for a Client Relations Lead and for services adapted to newcomers and refugees.
“… with a $194,700 Resilient Communities Fund grant over 24 months, will recover and build its resiliency from impacts of COVID-19 by hiring a Client Relations Lead and providing resources and technology for staff to adapt programming and services to meet the needs of community.” Grant record 3265; population served: newcomers and refugees; closed November 2024.
The grantee told the public the grant increased its accessibility.
“Jumpstart was able to increase its accessibility by fully adapting all programming to be remote … and hired staff to engage 1,000+ clients.” Jumpstart-Refugee Talent, press release, 6 December 2024.
The grantee refused service in writing and named no policy behind the refusal.
“Without a phone number, unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with the process.” 26 August 2026. “This is not a policy; this is a process that we have adopted since our inception in 2016.” 27 August 2026. All its services are remote; email is remote.
The agency declared direct services outside the grant it paid to deliver them.
“… the funded project was focused on organizational capacity rather than direct service delivery, the matter falls outside OTF’s grant oversight role.” Community Investments Regional Director, Toronto Region, 24 September 2026, the 22nd day after the letter of 2 September.
The agency set its own test, the use of the funding during the grant, and did not apply it.
“Should we identify any information that raises concerns regarding the use of OTF funding during the life of the grant, we will follow up directly with the organization.” 24 September 2026. Next morning, in 18 hours: “We do not have any additional information to provide regarding this matter.” The grantee’s final report is in the agency’s hands.
The agency accepts the statutory fee by cheque or money order only. No law prescribes it.
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, s. 24 (1)(c), and Regulation 460, s. 5.2, fix the fee at $5 and name no instrument. Cheque or money order, by mail to a co-working address in Toronto: “This process has been in place since 2015”, 29 September 2026. No record of the rule is named.
The agency answers to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and to the Ombudsman of Ontario.
Questions to the Minister and complaint to the Ombudsman, 22 September 2026. Access request to the Foundation, 25 September 2026, due 26 October 2026; the same request through the Ministry, 29 September 2026, decision due 29 October 2026. Four documents demanded by 8 October 2026.