A Legacy of Caring: A History of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto

Henry G. MacLeod teaches sociology at both Trent University and the
University of Waterloo.

In view of the recent controversies over the deaths of children and
government-funding restraints in Ontario’s child-welfare system, this
history of one of Canada’s largest children’s aid societies is very
timely. It is important that people be reminded of how much overall good
these societies have done for children and the community over the years.

John McCullagh, utilizing excellent research from interviews and
archival materials, has written a fascinating history of the
Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST). His account begins with the
Infants’ Home and Infirmary, established in 1875, which amalgamated
with the CAST in 1951. It is well written and worth reading, and
includes many interesting stories and colorful personalities.

The notion of establishing a children’s aid society originated in the
demand for a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. J.J.
Kelso (1864–1935), a young journalist in Toronto, supported the
formation of the society and, aware of the squalid conditions that many
children lived in, advocated that the society promote not only animal
welfare but also child welfare. The next year a Children’s Protection
Act was passed and three years later, in 1891, the Toronto Children’s
Aid Society was founded.

The book’s design—each page has text, pictures, and a sidebar—did
not appeal to this reviewer, who would have rather seen the material
presented in a more scholarly format; nevertheless, the
coffee-table–style book should draw a wide readership.

A Legacy of Caring documents the many changes in the needs of children
over time, and the impact of these changes on the CAST and its services,
and on legislation and social policy. McCullagh and his researchers,
Gail Aitken and Donald Bellamy, have made a major contribution to the
history of child welfare in Ontario and to Toronto’s history.