Current Labour Relations Update
On May 25, 2026 unionized Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) staff in Simcoe County, OPSEU Local 355 members, began a legal strike action by walking off at 12:01 a.m.
During the course of collective bargaining, Kinark and union representatives were unable to reach a new agreement. All offers presented during negotiations were declined by the union, resulting in the current labour disruption.
Our priority is to keep our community informed and supported as the situation evolves. CYMH services within the Simcoe service delivery area (including Barrie and Midland) are being impacted. During this time, some services or appointments will be delivered virtually where clinically appropriate or adjusted temporarily. Kinark’s Autism Services staff are not involved in this labour action and all autism services in the region will continue. Our clinical teams are continuing to communicate directly with families to ensure they have the information they need about their care.
Please note, Kinark’s Crisis Services in the region will continue to be available from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you need urgent support, please visit your nearest emergency department.
Outside of these hours, the following resources are also available:
- CMHA Simcoe County 24/7 Crisis Line: 705‑728‑5044 or 1‑888‑893‑8333
- Kids Help Phone: 1‑800‑668‑6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
- New Path Quick Access Clinic: newpath.ca/book-now or 705-725-7656
- Waypoint Youth Crisis Services: 1-800-461-5424
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988
- One Stop Talk: 1-855-416-8255
For further information or specific inquiries, please contact:
- Communications and media inquiries: communications@kinark.on.ca or 437-331-3499
- Service disruption or care arrangements: admin.simcoe@kinark.on.ca or call Kinark’s Barrie office at 705-726-8861
Frequently Asked Questions
Kinark continues to experience a labour disruption involving members of OPSEU Local 355 in Simcoe County. The labour disruption began on May 25, 2025, and remains ongoing.
Throughout this period, Kinark has continued to focus on supporting children, youth, and families while working to minimize service disruptions wherever possible. We remain committed to reaching a negotiated agreement and providing updates as information becomes available.
The labour disruption impacts some Kinark services in the Simcoe County region.
Many services continue to operate, although some may be delivered differently than usual or have modified schedules. Services in other Kinark regions are continuing as normal.
Families whose appointments or services are affected will be contacted directly by their service team.
Kinark continues to provide services wherever possible and has implemented measures to support continuity of care during the labour disruption.
Depending on the program, services may:
- Continue as scheduled
- Be delivered virtually when appropriate
- Operate on a modified schedule
- Experience temporary delays or adjustments
- Move services to alternate location(s)
If your service is affected, a member of the Kinark team will contact you directly.
Families are encouraged to contact their Kinark program or service team directly.
If your service team is unavailable, please contact Kinark through our main service channels, and we will direct your inquiry to the appropriate team member.
Kinark continues to accept referrals for many programs and services.
Processing times may vary depending on the program and available staffing resources. Individuals seeking services are encouraged to consult with their program area directly regarding current timelines.
Yes. Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of children, youth, and families remains a priority.
Kinark continues to follow all privacy, confidentiality, and information security requirements during the labour disruption. Services and communications are managed in accordance with established organizational policies and legislative requirements.
Families are free to share their personal experiences if they choose. However, Kinark cannot discuss individual client situations publicly due to privacy and confidentiality requirements. Kinark’s Media Relations Policy prohibits staff from disclosing client information or confirming whether an individual receives services.
Media inquiries regarding Kinark should be directed to: communications@kinark.on.ca
Kinark will continue to provide updates through:
- Direct communication with affected families
- Official Kinark website and social media channels
- Other appropriate communication channels, as needed
Our goal is to provide timely and accurate information while respecting privacy and confidentiality obligations.
Previous Updates
In our Simcoe service delivery area (including Barrie and Midland), Kinark has been actively engaged in collective bargaining with representatives of our unionized Simcoe Child and Youth Mental Health staff as part of the regular negotiation process. At this time, there is a labour disruption that is anticipated to begin on Monday, May 25.
At Kinark, we remain committed to resolving current labour discussions in a fair and timely manner and are planning responsibly to minimize disruption for children and families. Our priority is continuity of care and the safety and well‑being of those we serve. We respect the rights of employees to advocate for their interests and remain focused on reaching a constructive resolution.
We will share updates as appropriate, including any potential impacts on services. When the strike is in effect, some services or appointments may be delivered virtually where clinically appropriate or adjusted temporarily. Kinark’s clinical teams will contact families directly with specific information if their appointments or services are affected.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community during this time and remain committed to maintaining public trust.