Latest news with #OntarioAutismProgram
CBC
26-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Northern Ontario autism advocates calling for more transparency over how provincial dollars are spent
The Ontario Autism Coalition says there needs to be more transparency from the Ford government over how funding to support children and their families is spent, In this year's budget, the provincial government is boosting funding for the Ontario Autism Program by $175 million, bringing the total annual allotment to $779 million. Alina Cameron, president of the Ontario Autism Coalition, says the government has not been transparent about whether the funding is going directly to families either receiving core autism therapy services or those on the wait list, or whether it's being spent on administration costs. "When we've seen similar increases in the past, it hasn't resulted in a large bump in numbers of children coming off the wait list for services," said Cameron. "I'm afraid that it's going to be sucked into the administrative overhead of the program." Cameron says families with autistic children rely on government funding to access core clinical services such as occupational therapy, speech language therapy, behavioural therapies, and mental health services. Without the program, families are often left to pay out of pocket. She says there are almost 80,000 children registered for the Ontario Autism Program, but only approximately 20,000 currently have access to services. "Right now we're looking at anywhere from a five to six year wait for access to core clinical services," she said. Cameron also argues that current funding models are not keeping up with inflation, meaning families are not receiving more money despite the rising cost of therapy. "Let's provide data and transparency around how we're spending the funding, how the services are being accessed, what the wait times are when you're on the wait list…These are important things to the community and we've had no feedback on them from the ministry," said Cameron. Cameron, who lives in Thunder Bay, said her 10-year-old daughter Fiona received her funding for therapy services two years ago, after being on the wait list for five years. A 'broken' system It was a similar situation for Sean Staddon. The Sudbury father has two children with autism: 10-year-old daughter June and 8-year-old son Charles. Staddon says his son finally started receiving his funding last year after waiting over five years. During that time, Staddon and his wife had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for therapy for both kids to fill the gap. Even with the maximum $65,000 per year that Charles receives under the program, Staddon says is still not enough to cover his son's therapy expenses and the funding decreases as children get older. "It's extremely frustrating," said Staddon. "My son needs more hours in therapy and the rates keep going up and our budget from the government does not increase." Staddon says the province is continuously trying to "throw" money into a system that is broken and it's leaving children with high special needs behind. He says he doesn't know how the system will be "fixed," but he would like to see the government consult with families using the program to hear their experiences. In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services said: "Approximately 22,000 children are actively enrolled in core clinical services as of April 2025, which has grown from 8,000 since 2022. With more children being invited every week, in the order that they registered for the OAP." "All families registered in the OAP have access to foundational family services and urgent response services when required, as well as caregiver-mediated early years programs and the entry to school program for young children."
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario boosts autism budget to $779M, advocates question where money is going
TORONTO - Ontario is increasing funding for its autism program to $779 million this year, the government announced in this week's budget, but advocates say it's not yet clear exactly where that money will go. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy's budget, tabled Thursday, contains two lines on the Ontario Autism Program, including touting the new funding. Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa's office has not yet offered details on how the money will be used, but the Ontario Autism Coalition fears it will not all go toward therapy for children. 'We're very happy about any increase to the budget,' said coalition president Alina Cameron. 'It's very welcome and it's needed. But the way it's laid out, it just raises a lot more questions than answers for us.' Last year's budget for the program was about $720 million, but Cameron said previous boosts of about $60 million don't seem to have made a huge difference in the wait list. Figures obtained by the autism coalition through a freedom-of-information request show that as of early February, nearly 80,000 children and youth were registered to seek services through the program, but only about 17,650 were in an active agreement for core therapy funds. 'The rate of registration is higher than the rate of entry to core clinical services,' Cameron said. 'We don't really see a big change of services at the user end, based upon these yearly increases. They often just get absorbed into system costs, rather than reaching families.' Parsa recently touted in the legislature that more than 45,000 families are receiving 'multiple services and supports.' The Ontario Autism Program offers an entry-to-school program, urgent response services and some family services, but families often access those as they wait for core clinical services funding, which they can use to pay for key therapy such as applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy. Most families want core services and they are now waiting more than five years from the time they register, Cameron said. 'Early intervention is effectively dead in Ontario at this point,' she said. NDP autism critic Alexa Gilmour says she wonders how much of the new funding is going to direct supports, since the government has previously indicated the program is adding more staff. 'We don't know how much is going to core services, how much is going to administration,' she said. 'We do know that they're adding more staffing, but the wait list has ballooned.' Aside from the long wait to qualify for government funding, Gilmour said, families are reporting difficulty finding available providers even once they have money in hand. 'I think that (money) is a drop in the bucket that doesn't close the gap,' she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Global News
16-05-2025
- Health
- Global News
Ontario boosts autism budget to $779M, advocates question where money is going
Ontario is increasing funding for its autism program to $779 million this year, the government announced in this week's budget, but advocates say it's not yet clear exactly where that money will go. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy's budget, tabled Thursday, contains two lines on the Ontario Autism Program, including touting the new funding. Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa's office has not yet offered details on how the money will be used, but the Ontario Autism Coalition fears it will not all go toward therapy for children. 'We're very happy about any increase to the budget,' said coalition president Alina Cameron. 'It's very welcome and it's needed. But the way it's laid out, it just raises a lot more questions than answers for us.' Last year's budget for the program was about $720 million, but Cameron said previous boosts of about $60 million don't seem to have made a huge difference in the wait list. Story continues below advertisement Figures obtained by the autism coalition through a freedom-of-information request show that as of early February, nearly 80,000 children and youth were registered to seek services through the program, but only about 17,650 were in an active agreement for core therapy funds. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The rate of registration is higher than the rate of entry to core clinical services,' Cameron said. 'We don't really see a big change of services at the user end, based upon these yearly increases. They often just get absorbed into system costs, rather than reaching families.' Parsa recently touted in the legislature that more than 45,000 families are receiving 'multiple services and supports.' The Ontario Autism Program offers an entry-to-school program, urgent response services and some family services, but families often access those as they wait for core clinical services funding, which they can use to pay for key therapy such as applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy. Most families want core services and they are now waiting more than five years from the time they register, Cameron said. 'Early intervention is effectively dead in Ontario at this point,' she said. NDP autism critic Alexa Gilmour says she wonders how much of the new funding is going to direct supports, since the government has previously indicated the program is adding more staff. Story continues below advertisement 'We don't know how much is going to core services, how much is going to administration,' she said. 'We do know that they're adding more staffing, but the wait list has ballooned.' Aside from the long wait to qualify for government funding, Gilmour said, families are reporting difficulty finding available providers even once they have money in hand. 'I think that (money) is a drop in the bucket that doesn't close the gap,' she said.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ontario boosts autism budget to $779M, advocates question where money is going
TORONTO – Ontario's budget says it is increasing funding for the autism program to $779 million this year, but advocates say it's not yet clear exactly where that money will go. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy's budget, tabled Thursday, contains two lines on the Ontario Autism Program, including touting the new funding. Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa's office has not yet offered details on how the money will be used, but the Ontario Autism Coalition fears it will not all go toward therapy for children. Last year's budget for the program was about $720 million, and autism coalition president Alina Cameron says while any increase in funding is welcome, previous boosts of about $60 million don't seem to have made a huge difference in the wait list. Figures obtained by the autism coalition through a freedom-of-information request show that as of early February, nearly 80,000 children and youth were registered to seek services through the program, but only about 20,000 had signed agreements to get core therapy funds. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. NDP autism critic Alexa Gilmour says she wonders how much of the new funding is going to direct supports and how much is going toward administration, since the government has previously indicated the program is adding more staff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Recap: Ford government's 2025 budget focused on tariffs, teachers, LCBO and cannabis
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled the Progressive Conservative government's spending plan this afternoon. This file is no longer being updated. Check out our Ontario Provincial Politics hub for latest news and updates from Queen's Park. What to know: 'Tariffs have created an economic challenge across Ontario,' Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said before unveiling the record $232.5-billion budget From choppers for cops to new teacher spots, here are 10 highlights Opposition Leader Marit Stiles of the NDP described the budget as a 'missed opportunity,' saying Ontarians will spend more and receive less Updated 1 hr ago Ontario pushes local cannabis, booze in budget as LCBO revenues slide By Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau A cannabis shop is seen on the Danforth near Logan. Richard Lautens/ Toronto Star Buy local is going 'high' local. To flag Ontario cannabis products amid a trade war with the United States, Premier Doug Ford's government has developed an 'Ontario Grown' label to slap on products with at least 75 per cent provincial content. The plan — which includes easing restrictions on cannabis storefronts to make them 'more welcoming' — is detailed in Thursday's Ontario budget along with $100 million in tax breaks this fiscal year for Ontario producers of microbrews, spirits, ciders and ready-to-drink cocktails. The move is aimed at boosting sales and lowering prices for consumers starting Aug. 1. Read the full story here from Rob Ferguson Updated 1 hr ago Health care priorities include funding for primary care teams, Ontario Autism Program By The Canadian Press Ontario Premier Doug Ford is all smiles after tabling the 2025 budget at Queen's Park. Richard Lautens / Toronto Star The Ontario budget says the government will invest more than $235 million this year to establish and expand up to 80 more primary care teams, which it says will connect 300,000 more people to primary care. It also says it will invest up to $280 million over two years to support the expansion of integrated health service centres that will help more Ontarians access MRI and CT scans, among other services. It also plans to increase the province's investment to the Ontario Autism Program, bringing this year's total funding to $779 million. Read the full story from The Canadian Press Updated 2 hrs ago Ontario budget adds funding for more teachers and gives a boost to skilled trades training By Kristin Rushowy Queen's Park Bureau A classroom at a Toronto elementary school. Chris Young / The Canadian Press Teacher training — and worker retraining — got a boost in the Ontario budget, as overall education funding will see above-inflation increases. Base spending on elementary and secondary education rises from this year's $39 billion to almost $41 billion in 2025-26. Critics have accused the Ford government of not spending enough on Kindergarten to Grade 12 education to even keep up with inflation, though it spent more than allotted this year because of increased teacher pay as well as school board spending. Read the full story here from Kris Rushowy ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Updated 1 hr ago Opinion: Doug Ford's bad budget reveals why he called an early election By Martin Regg Cohn Political Columnist Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy in Toronto in 2024. Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press Now you know why Doug Ford called an early election — he got out ahead of a bad news budget Officially, belatedly, Thursday's budget is an echo of the premier's February campaign slogan: 'A Plan to Protect Ontario.' A more fitting title: The 'Blame Trump Budget.' Fair enough. No question that the U.S. president messed up our economic outlook (and bolstered Ford's re-election outcome). The unanswered question is whether Ontario's premier can clean up that mess — or make matters worse. Read the full column from Martin Regg Cohn here Updated 1 hr ago Doug Ford's government vows to 'protect Ontario' from tariffs By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada-USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. in 2020. Rob Gurdebeke / THE CANADIAN PRESS Woe Canada, Ontario claims to stand on guard for thee. With the economy battered by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and unemployment rising, Premier Doug Ford's government has tabled a record $232.5-billion provincial budget to 'protect Ontario' and promote national unity. 'When all of Canada wins, Ontario wins,' Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said Thursday in boosterish speech that noted 'it is amazing to witness the burst of patriotism across our province and our great country' in the face of Trump's tariffs. Read the full story from Robert Benzie here Updated 1 hr ago Ten things you should know about Ontario's budget flag wire: false flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false : By Kristin Rushowy Queen's Park Bureau, Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief, and Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Chris Young / The Canadian Press From choppers for cops to new teacher spots, the record-breaking $232.5 billion Ontario budget unveiled Thursday also features a number of programs to help tariff-battered businesses and workers. As a point of national pride, the province is also introducing a new 'buy' day to promote Ontario and Canadian-made products. Check out the highlights here ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Updated 3 hrs ago Steps to address the teacher shortage By Kristin Rushowy Queen's Park Bureau Amid a teacher shortage, the province is pledging almost $56 million to create 2,600 new training spots over the next two years. Base Education funding is rising from $39 billion this school year to almost $41 billion in 2025-26. More than inflation, as Bethlenfalvy notes, but critics say doesn't make up for past budgets that didn't meet boards' actual costs. Post-secondary funding will drop, from base of $12.4 billion this year, to $11.5 next year. When student financial assistance is factored in, decrease is from $14.2 billion to just under $13 billion. Updated 2 hrs ago More eyes in the sky By Kristin Rushowy Queen's Park Bureau Premier Doug Ford tours Airbus Helicopters in Fort Erie on Sept. 13, 2024. Julie Jocsak/ St. Catharines Standard Ontario is purchasing two new H-135 helicopters, costing $57 million, for the Niagara and Windsor police services to help boost border security and crime surveillance and enforcement. The province previously spent $135 million for five helicopters for police in the Toronto and Ottawa areas. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the extra supports for the 'Joint Air Support Unit' shows 'our messsge to criminals and traffickers is clear - we are coming for you.' Updated 2 hrs ago Budget 'utterly fails' on housing affordability, says Green leader By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. Nick Iwanyshyn/ The Canadian Press file photo Green Leader Mike Schreiner said the fiscal plan 'utterly fails' on improving housing affordability. 'We will not tariff-proof Ontario if people can't afford to live in this province. We are not helping the people who need the help, the most low- and middle-income families,' said Schreiner. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Updated 2 hrs ago Crombie supports stimulus but calls for more health care spending By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Ontario Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie. Steve Russell/ Toronto Star Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said her party does support 'providing stimulus to ride through this critical time.' 'But in the long term, what's in it for the people who are still waiting 20 hours in an emergency room for care?' said Crombie. Updated 2 hrs ago Opposition NDP blasts 'Band-Aid budget' By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief NDP Leader MPP Marit Stiles. Cole Burston / The Canadian Press NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Ford's Tories are spending more while Ontarians are getting less for their tax dollars. 'This is a Band-Aid budget, a missed opportunity to strengthen Ontario,' said Stiles. Updated 3 hrs ago Ontario tables a record $232.5-billion budget By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Premier Doug Ford's government has tabled a record $232.5-billion provincial budget to 'protect Ontario' and promote national unity. 'When all of Canada wins, Ontario wins,' Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said Thursday in boosterish speech that noted 'it is amazing to witness the burst of patriotism across our province and our great country' in the face of Trump's tariffs. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Updated 5 hrs ago Budget comes amid Trump trade war By Star staff Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is tabling the Ontario budget at 4 p.m. today against the backdrop of a slowing economy and rising unemployment due in large part to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada. Updated 1 hr ago Ford will make gas tax cut permanent, end tolls on part of Hwy. 407 By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Fulfilling a promise from the Progressive Conservatives' Feb. 27 re-election campaign, Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy are permanently lowering the gas tax and eliminating tolls on the provincially operated part of the Highway 407 expressway. As of June 1, the levies, which can be up to $20, will be lifted on the 43-kilometre portion of Highway 407 from Brock Road in Pickering east to Highway 35/115 north of Clarington, which will cost the treasury around $72 million annually. Contributors Opinion John Lorinc: Here is one thing Doug Ford could do tomorrow to ease gridlock in the GTA and it involves Highway 407 John Lorinc But tolls that can cost $86 depending on the time of day will remain on the privately operated 108-kilometre section of Highway 407 from the Queen Elizabeth Way in Burlington to Brock Road. In Thursday's budget, Bethlenfalvy will also finally make permanent the temporary 5.7 cents a litre reduction in the gas tax he introduced in 2022 and has extended annually since. The tax will remain at 9 cents a litre, down from 14.7 cents three years ago. Read more from the Star's Robert Benzie 15 hrs ago Tariffs have changed Ontario budget approach, premier says By The Canadian Press Ontario is set to table its budget today, and Premier Doug Ford is signalling it will include a lot of infrastructure spending and measures to stimulate the economy, saying U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs will be a major factor. 'We have to look at it through a different lens now, since these tariffs have been put on us,' he said Wednesday. 'You have two options in a budget. You start cutting and slashing, which I've never believed (in). In tougher times, you go out there, you put money into infrastructure, keep building the hospitals that we're doing, and the highways and the bridges and the roads and the schools and long-term care homes and really building the infrastructure. We can always balance (in) a year or two.' Read the full story from the Canadian Press ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Updated 5 hrs ago Budget to target Toronto bike lanes By Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief A cyclist manoeuvres along a bike lane on Avenue Road, north of Bloor and south of Davenport, on May 14, 2025. Richard Lautens/ Toronto Star Premier Doug Ford is gearing up to remove even more Toronto bike lanes, the Star has learned. Sources say Thursday's provincial budget legislation will include the removal of the bike lanes on Queen's Park Crescent, around the legislative precinct, and on Avenue Road south of Davenport Road. That's on top of the bikeways slated for demolition on University Avenue, Yonge Street and Bloor Street West. Read Queen's Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie's story from Wednesday Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
