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Wed, September 26, 2007
Tory promises $75M
program
By PATRICK MALONEY, SUN MEDIA
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LONDON, Ont. — John Tory yesterday promised $75 million to help autistic
kids and their families, a segment of Ontarians he says Dalton McGuinty has
failed.
An advocate for autistic kids, GoodLife Fitness founder David Patchell-Evans
of London, called the Progressive Conservative leader’s pledge a "breath of
fresh air."
"I can guarantee people that were listening to this were … crying with
hope," said Patchell-Evans, whose autistic daughter Kilee is 11. "The (PCs) seem
to be the only (party) that would commit to making something different."
The autism issue has dogged the Liberals and critics say they didn’t go far
enough to fund a costly but effective therapy for the disorder, which causes
impaired social and communication skills.
Tory met with parents with autistic children yesterday before announcing his
plan to clear the list of kids waiting for so-called intensive behavioural
intervention therapy.
"The current government and the current premier, Mr. McGuinty, have failed
these families," he said.
The Liberals say 1,400 kids will get IBI this year. Tory says there were 59
kids on a waiting list in 2003 and 1,200 today.
But Tory insisted fully funded IBI shouldn’t be a partisan debate. He praised
Shelley Martel, the retiring NDP MPP, for her work and expressed interest in
working with her on the issue.
Also, Tory said a PC government would work with educators to increase the
in-school support system and put $5 million toward expanding a "respite
program," allowing parents brief chances to get away and relax.
After the 2003 Liberal win, Patchell-Evans said he and other parents of
autistic kids thought help was on the way. They were met with what he called
"heartbreak" when it wasn’t delivered.
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Awareness 
