Commentary: Megan Khung’s story must end in enduring change of the child protection system

This requires addressing tangible issues that child protection professionals face, such as caseload fatigue, performance pressures and communication gaps that can dull professional judgement. 

Capacity building must extend beyond the core protective services. Those who encounter children daily – childcare educators, preschool teachers, healthcare and community workers – should be equipped to notice when something feels “off” and feel confident to act on that intuition.

A strong child protection system is one where each of us feels the responsibility to notice, to act, and, when necessary, to question or challenge assessments, especially when our professional views contradict those of statutory bodies. For this to hold, the authorities too must embrace constructive challenges, respect differing professional views, and be willing to re‑examine their assessments of a child’s safety. 

Independent reviews and procedural reforms matter, but they must serve a larger aim, which is to rebuild a culture of accountability, courage and care that transcends protocols.

We owe it to Megan and to every child who has gone before her in similar circumstances to do this well. To ensure their deaths are not remembered as isolated tragedies, but as turning points that compel us to build a system worthy of the children it exists to protect.

Cindy Ng-Tay is Director of Melrose Home at Children’s Aid Society. She is a social worker by training with extensive experience working with low-income families and persons experiencing violence and abuse.