Waterloo MPP wants answers from province on new autism plan
Changes will have devastating effects for individual families, says MPP
A local MPP is asking the province for more clarity on changes the Ontario government has said will be made to the Ontario Autism Plan this spring.
Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife says the province has not answered any questions about the plan so far, leaving many worried parents in the dark.
"We are receiving multiple calls daily asking for clarity around this plan," Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife told CBC KW. "Parents in Waterloo Region are not getting answers as to how this plan will affect their children [and] the level of therapy that their children are receiving."
Under the new program, families with autistic children under the age of six will receive up to $20,000 a year for support, while children over the age of six will be eligible for $5,000 until they turn 18.
Some parents in Kitchener-Waterloo have said this doesn't cover the full costs of therapy for their children, which was previously covered but subject to a waitlist.
"The impact of this plan will be far-reaching and will have devastating effects to individual families," said Fife.
Fife has submitted a list of questions to what's called an Order Paper. The province will now have 24 sessional days to respond to MPP Fife's questions.