By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
There are numbers we want higher, like the amount of money in our bank accounts, stock prices in our portfolios, number of employed people…then there are numbers we want lower, like the number of registered children/youths waiting for core funding from Ontario’s Autism Program. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and we have families locally who are tired and frustrated continually battling government.
Premier Ford in 2018 pledged to clear the autism therapy waitlist of 23,000 children; however, there are now 61,830 registered children/youth still waiting for core funding. Why is Premier Ford failing on a file with no plans to move forward?
The challenges vary from family to family, but they should not have to beg. I maintain that if the government cannot deliver programs effectively, empower families to seek the support they require for their loved ones.
Poking around I see the Ontario Government; The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services “is increasing its investment in the Ontario Autism Program by $175 million in 2025–26, bringing this year’s total funding to $779 million. The Ontario Autism Program provides children and youth with access to supports such as applied behaviour analysis therapy, speech‐language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health services and equipment.”
Okay, $779 million is an increase. Good. But the Ontario Autism Coalition’s numbers also indicate there are 80,998 children/youth registered with the Ontario Autism Program. So, 61,830 registered children/youth are still waiting for core funding out of 80,998. That leaves only 19,168 getting funding.
By my math that’s about 24 per cent getting funding they require. The last I checked, 24 per cent was a failing grade!
The number of children/youth and their families who need help keeps growing while the number getting the funding they need has remained flat. Due to this government’s inability to tackle the waitlist, families are simply not applying because they believe their child will age out of the Ontario Autism Program before they ever receive supports.
In some situations, behavioural therapy can range from $80,000 to $90,000 a year and like everything else related to cost these days, it’s another number going up in price.
The Ministry said in the past it was observing the levels of need and how families are targeting where to wisely spend their funding allocations, which should give the government an idea on where things stand. Good. But it wasn’t and isn’t only money. In 2025, we still need to scrutinize how the program is executed. Is it spinning wheels or is it working properly and moving toward a better system?
There are too many government program stakeholders who are working in silos.
We must pivot with demand and the realities of today. If the government can’t provide the necessary services to help these families, then I still think it’s time to get out of the way and allow them to secure the services that work best for them and their children.
The Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services recently stated about the Ontario Autism Program: “(it) was designed by the community” and “I keep hearing that people are really happy with it.” With all due respect, he needs to hear the truth, and that thousands of families are not happy with it.
On that note, rest assured I will continue to advocate for families with loved ones with autism until I start to see the numbers moving in the right direction.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk