Concerns raised about shelter conditions in Ottawa following toddler's death

Brantly Luhaka’s mother, Gloria Luhaka, spoke to reporters this week to describe the living conditions she and her family have endured since moving into a room at the Travelodge on Carling Avenue.

The death of a two-year-old boy whose family has lived for seven months in a hotel room being used as shelter space is raising concerns about the quality of the city’s overflow shelter accommodations.

Brantly Luhaka’s mother, Gloria Luhaka, spoke to reporters this week to describe the living conditions she and her family have endured since moving into a room at the Travelodge on Carling Avenue after giving birth to her fifth child last fall.

Brantly, an otherwise healthy twin boy, was taken to CHEO on Feb. 26 after having difficulty breathing. He died on March 8. Luhaka says she believes conditions in the two-room suite where the family has been staying contributed to his death. The family is still awaiting autopsy results.

Speaking in French, Luhaka said: “Brantly was never sick. He was a mama’s boy. He cared for me.”

As Luhaka spoke, Brantly’s twin sister, Hadly, crawled on her lap and toyed with a black teddy bear. Plaster casts of Brantly’s hand and foot, made by CHEO after his death, sat on the table beside her, along with photos of Brantly in his hospital bed.

Gloria Luhaka brought her son’s belongings to a press conference in Ottawa Tuesday.

Gwen Madiba, founder of the advocacy group Equal Chance, said Brantly’s death has left the family in “shock and sadness” as they wait for more information.

“But while we wait, we cannot not address the dangerous and deplorable living conditions of many families, children and youths across the city,” Madiba said.

“We understand there’s an affordable housing crisis, but we can’t ignore that many people are living in conditions that are dangerous and deplorable.”

Madiba showed reporters medical documents that she said had been chewed by mice in the Luhakas’ room and a bag of baby formula that had also been chewed through by mice. Videos from the room show a broken window frame, appearing to be black with mould, and cupboards filled with mouse droppings.

The Travelodge is one of a number of hotels and motels the city uses for overflow shelter accommodation. In 2021, the most recent year with statistics available, the city provided emergency shelter to nearly 7,000 people for an average of 100 days each. Those numbers include 884 individual families with an average stay of 144 days.

Madiba said the purpose of the press conference was not to lay blame but to find a solution to concerns about the quality of shelter spaces.

“It’s not about pointing fingers and attacking others. It’s about working together to alleviate situations like this,” she said. “We have a chance here to do better to do better for these families, for mothers like Gloria.”

An emailed statement signed by Robert Sherman on behalf of Travelodge said it has “no reason to believe the living conditions provided by the hotel contributed to this tragic event.

“We are deeply saddened at the tragic passing of a young toddler earlier this month. We extend our deepest condolences to the child’s mother, family and loved ones,” the statement read.

“Our hotel has worked closely, and continues to work closely, with relevant authorities including the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health to ensure we are compliant with all applicable regulations and with the expectations of authorities.”

The company said the site is set to eventually be torn down and redeveloped but for now, it is continuing to invest in maintenance to meet the city’s standards.

In an emailed response to questions, the city said it’s working with the hotel to improve living conditions.

“The City’s Housing Services and By-law and Regulatory Services staff, in collaboration with Ottawa Public Health (OPH), is currently investigating conditions at the Travelodge West, which includes speaking with affected families and working with its partners to ensure any concerns are identified and addressed,” the email said.

The city and public health staff worked with the hotel in November and December to help it get a pest problem under control.

“Following the inspections and subsequent remedial actions, the City was satisfied that the hotel had made appropriate fixes and that treatment strategies were in place.”

Inspectors visited the hotel again on March 16 and 17 “and will ensure the hotel operator addresses any outstanding issues that may be identified in a forthcoming report.

“The City of Ottawa takes this situation and all concerns brought forward to us very seriously. Property owners of the City’s shelter system overflow sites enter into an agreement with the City, which includes service requirements for all households. City staff work with operators to help mitigate and address any issues relating to living conditions, including environmental concerns.

“As part of the case management process, caseworkers meet regularly with clients to address any issues pertaining to living conditions. Additionally, staff work directly with hotel management to track active issues and ensure remedial actions are taken to address client concerns.

Luhaka, who says she fled the Democratic Republic of Congo after suffering rape and abuse at the hands of the military, came to Canada as a refugee three years ago, via Brazil.

“The story of Gloria is a story of resilience,” Madiba said. “It’s the story of a mother who sacrificed everything she had in the DRC to give a better life for her children.

“It’s difficult to hear a mom question herself and beat herself up and ask herself, ‘Is it me? Am I responsible for my son’s death?’ When she is not. But no amount of comforting words or hugs will ever replace her child.”