Ontario legal guide · Updated 2026-06-16
CAS Investigation — Your Rights as an Ontario Parent
If a Children's Aid Society (CAS) has contacted you, you have rights under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. This guide explains what CAS can do, what you can refuse, and how to get free legal help.
Get a lawyer for your CAS matter — today
Child protection proceedings can end with your children being placed in extended society care permanently. Legal Aid Ontario funds lawyers for CAS cases regardless of income for most parents. Do not respond to CAS or attend court without legal help if you can avoid it.
Statutory authority: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 14, Sched. 1; Legal Aid Services Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 11, Sched. 16.
Step 1 — Get free legal help before saying anything
Call Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) to ask about legal aid and duty counsel.
Step 2 — Know what CAS must tell you
- Why they are investigating (in general terms).
- Your right to have a lawyer present.
- Your right to refuse entry without a warrant (subject to immediate-risk exceptions).
Step 3 — Document everything
Write down the worker's name, badge number, supervisor, date, time, and exactly what was said. Keep copies of every letter and email.
Step 4 — If your child is apprehended
A first appearance must be held within 5 days (CYFSA s. 90). Duty counsel will appear with you. Bring ID, proof of housing, employment, and a list of supports.
Need help with your case?
Free triage. No legal advice — procedural guidance only.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to let a CAS worker into my home?
Not without a warrant or a court order, unless they have reasonable grounds to believe a child is in immediate danger. You can ask to speak with them at the door or schedule a meeting after consulting duty counsel.
Do I have to answer CAS questions?
You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer before answering. Anything you say to a CAS worker can be used in court. Call Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) first.
Can CAS remove my child without a court order?
Only in narrow circumstances under CYFSA s. 81 (immediate risk of harm). They must then bring the matter before a court within 5 days.
Can I record a CAS worker?
Ontario is a one-party-consent jurisdiction, so you can record a conversation you are part of. CAS may discourage it, but it is legal.
Will CAS tell me who reported me?
No. Reports to CAS are confidential under CYFSA s. 125. The reporter's identity is generally not disclosed.
Quorex provides legal information and procedural guidance, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For legal advice, contact Legal Aid Ontario (1-800-668-8258) or a licensed lawyer or paralegal.