Summer Camps in the Shadows: Ontario’s Lax Legislation Allows Predators to Thrive

The recent case of Bradley Gibbs, a Durham Regional Police officer who pleaded guilty to assaulting children and continued to work at a summer camp for weeks, highlights a glaring gap in Ontario’s legislation regarding staff screening at youth camps. This incident is not an isolated event, but rather a symptom of a larger problem that allows predators like Gibbs to operate with relative impunity.

Unlike daycares and other childcare centers, which are subject to stricter regulations, summer camps can essentially operate with carte blanche when it comes to vetting staff. The lack of legislated requirements for background checks is staggering, leaving vulnerable children at risk.

The Ontario Camps Association (OCA) has implemented voluntary standards for its members, including criminal record checks, but these only apply to camps that choose to join the organization. This leaves countless others free to operate with little to no accountability. The Ministry of Education’s requirement for day camps serving children under four to conduct vulnerable sector checks is a step in the right direction, but it does not address the broader issue.

The notion that summer camps can support staff members through personal difficulties without adequately addressing the underlying issues is disturbing. KL Hockey Camp’s director Amanda Tayles’ statement that Gibbs had taken accountability for his actions and was stepping away due to recent attention about a personal legal matter raises more questions than it answers. What exactly did camp leadership know, and when did they know it? The fact that Gibbs co-founded the camp with friends and was described as an “active coach and mentor” on the camp’s website makes this all the more egregious.

Requiring vulnerable sector checks for summer camps staff is a matter of common sense, according to employment litigator Puneet Tiwari. It is not about creating unnecessary bureaucracy or over-regulating, but rather ensuring that children are safe from harm. The province has a responsibility to protect its most vulnerable citizens, and failing to do so puts them at risk.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General’s silence on this issue is deafening. When asked whether they would consider legislation requiring summer camps to conduct vulnerable sector checks, they did not respond. This lack of urgency is staggering, given the very real consequences of inaction.

As we await the outcome of Gibbs’ sentencing, it is clear that Ontario’s legislation regarding summer camps is woefully inadequate. Until there are stricter regulations and accountability measures in place, children will continue to be put at risk by predators like Gibbs who operate with relative impunity. The province must take immediate action to address this glaring gap and ensure that summer camps prioritize the safety and well-being of their young charges.

The fact that KL Hockey Camp’s director Amanda Tayles could write an email to parents assuring them that Gibbs was stepping away due to “recent attention” about a personal legal matter without mentioning the guilty pleas or assault charges is a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability. The lack of trust between parents and summer camps has been exposed, and it will take more than just a change in leadership or policies to repair it.

This case highlights a systemic failure that requires a fundamental shift in how we approach staff screening at summer camps. It is not enough to rely on voluntary standards or hope that camp directors will do the right thing. The province must step up and take responsibility for protecting its children from harm.