The mother of a resident at a care home near Toronto has reported that her son was assaulted by another resident while support staff from the facility are currently on strike after nearly two months. Jan Beddoe’s son, Christopher Beddoe, 47, has been under the care of Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) in Oakville for approximately 20 years. On December 23, 2025, Christopher was bitten on the neck by another resident, according to his mother. He was hospitalized and required stitches for the injury, with ongoing wound care anticipated for the next month and the likelihood of a significant scar on his neck.
The CWSDS support workers have been on strike since November 19, seeking wage increases and improved working conditions. To prepare for the strike, the organization closed several group homes and relocated the residents to its Oakville headquarters at 53 Bond St. Concerns have been raised by family members, including Beddoe, about overcrowding and safety in the new arrangements.
CWSDS CEO Patricia Kyle stated that the organization takes pride in providing high-quality care for individuals with complex developmental needs but declined to comment on the specific incident due to patient confidentiality rules. Halton Regional Police Service confirmed responding to a medical call at 53 Bond St. on December 23 but did not press criminal charges after investigating the case.
Following a previous resident’s death at the facility on December 19, Beddoe believes the attack on her son would not have occurred if not for the ongoing strike. While agency workers have been brought in to assist during the strike, Beddoe expressed concerns that they lack the necessary skills and experience to prevent such incidents from happening.
In response to the incident and the strike, Vanessa Edwards, vice president of OPSEU Local 249 and a union bargaining team member, mentioned that workers felt remorse for not being present to protect the residents. Edwards emphasized the workers’ commitment to fair wages and decent working conditions.
Recent negotiations on January 8 showed some progress, according to Edwards, with both sides working towards a fair agreement that respects the workers’ rights and dignity. The discussions are being mediated by the Ministry of Labour, with further meetings scheduled for January 16. Beddoe, however, expressed frustration at the delays between meetings, highlighting the challenging conditions the residents are enduring during the strike.