Dear Mr. Swainson,

Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services – Travel/Participation Allowance

It is our understanding that Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services charges their clients residing in the Group Homes a mandatory monthly travel/participation allowance over and above the institutional rate covered by ODSP in order to contribute to the cost of transportation and craft supplies Sunbeam incurs.

According to the Canada Revenue Agency website: T3010 Registered Charity Information Return as attached; Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services BN1080 50899 RR0001; Fiscal period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 – Cash, bank accounts $5,687,984 and an annual surplus of $946,871 (Revenue $59,133,357 less Expenses $58,186,486). Accumulated annual surplus of $2,850,685 ($946,871 for 2023; $761,283 for 2022; $845,024 for 2021; $12,681 for 2020 and $284,826 for 2019). Sunbeam receives funding from the MCCSS including annual increases without fail as follows:

• $54,107,401 fiscal ending March 31, 2023
• $51,319,507 fiscal ending March 31, 2022
• $49,582,635 fiscal ending March 31, 2021
• $41,051,774 fiscal ending March 31, 2020
• $37,608,255 fiscal ending March 31, 2019

The Ontario Sunshine list reports Brain Swainson, Chief Executive Officer for Sunbeam with an annual salary of $209,027.40 for 2023 which is an increase of $40,569.22 or 24% from 2022 annual salary of $168,458.18. Total salaries of 14 positions for Sunbeam in 2023 of $1,680,113.83.

ODSP clients receive $149.00 per month for personal needs after paying the institutional rate to the Group Home, which also increases every year, without fail. The $149.00 personal needs amount has remained the same since 2019, 5 years without an increase.

An organization that receives more than ample funding from the MCCSS with annual increases that covers their expenses and provides $5,687,984 cash in the bank with a 5-year accumulated surplus of $2,850,685 and $1,680,113.83 for 14 positions on the Ontario Sunshine list for 2023 should not be demanding payment from their clients from their $149.00 per month personal needs amount to help contribute to the cost of the organization. This is a very limited source of funds for these individuals with disabilities that rely on this money to enjoy life to their fullest. This is considered unethical and immoral.

It is with great sadness that we recognize how the MCCSS has provided a disservice to the disabled and contributed greatly to the inequity regarding ODSP Funding versus Group Home Funding.

As such, we demand Sunbeam stop collecting these Travel/Participation Allowance payments from their clients immediately and repay the amounts egregiously collected from them in the past.  Please provide a confirmation of service resolution in programming and the reimbursement of the funds to Sunbeam clients as public funds.  MCCSS is required to ensure that the service agreements by client are provided to safeguard institutional abuse as much as it is to empower families to safeguard double dipping of public funds at the cost and detrimental of vulnerable Ontarians.  An investigation as reporting indicates the decision making to deflect care and support funding allocation and management practices is a common pattern across the province which is posing health, care and well being risks for vulnerable Ontarians. We look forward to a timely update.

Sincerely,

Justitia & Lori Ann Comeau
Founding Members of 
Advocates for Access & Accountability

Enclosure: 2023 Sunbeam CRA T3010 Registered Charity Information Return

If you have a concern regarding Lack of Care, Access or Accountability about your loved ones with a Development Disability living in a group home or institution in Ontario please email aaa.team.ca@gmail.com