This report presents the results of a technical review of the Child and Family Services Act focussing on key provisions of the legislation relating to permanency options for children in care, including adoption. The report includes information about submissions received during the review, practices in other jurisdictions and relevant research. It also provides an overview of submissions addressing matters outside the scope of the review, such as adoption information disclosure, youth justice, confidentiality of records, various aspects of the child welfare system, and the children's service system in general.

"In September 2014, the third legislative review of the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA or the Act) was announced. ... These reviews are conducted by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and are a way for the government to better understand how its laws, programs and policies are experienced on the ground. The information gathered as part of these reviews provides an opportunity for learning and change, and also supports the ministry and its partners to provide high-quality services for children, youth and families in Ontario. The paramount purpose of the Child and Family Services Act is to promote the best interests, protection and wellbeing of children and youth. The CFSA governs many of the province's programs and services for children and youth, ... The two sections of the CFSA that specifically apply to the review are: Section 224, which sets out the requirements for a mandatory review, and Section 226, which specifies that the mandatory review must include a review of provisions that impose obligations on children's aid societies (CASs) when providing services to a person who is an Indian or native person or in respect of children who are Indian or native persons, with a view to ensuring compliance by societies with those provisions." --Introduction.