Ontario’s children and youth advocate claims the Wynne Liberals refuse to give him access to information he needs to better protect kids at risk.

A frustrated Irwin Elman says his office has no authority to investigate complaints nor obtain information from mental health facilities, the youth criminal justice system and Children’s Aid Societies.

He cites the example of a 12-year old girl, who called his office to report she’d been sexually assault by a staff member at a mental health unit, only to be told his office could not get its hands on the investigation report.

Elman says provincial officials told him they should spend their money on providing services to children rather than on robust oversight.

He adds it would not cost the government a penny to turn over documents that already exist or should exist.