Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton joined NDP York-Simcoe Candidate Nancy
Morrison and other families at a local playground to announce the NDP’s plan to
support families with autism.

The NDP will put children and families first by providing publicly funded
Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) services in classrooms for all children
with autism, and clear the waiting list for autism services.

“Every child who needs IBI autism therapy should have access to it. That’s
the only fair thing to do. It’s a practical, doable and sensible thing we can do
that will make an immediate difference to the day-to-day lives of today’s
families.” said Hampton.

During the last election, McGuinty wrote a letter to Morrison promising to
provide autism services to Ontario children who need it. McGuinty broke his
promise. As of March 31, 2007, 1,100 children were languishing on waiting lists
for autism services. That’s an increase of 1,200 per cent from when the McGuinty
Liberals took office.

McGuinty even wasted $2.4 million of public money
fighting parents in the courts for the right to break his promise.

“Dalton McGuinty wasted $2.4 million dragging families through the courts
instead of addressing the pressing need for autism services for today’s working
families. That much money could have funded special treatment for 50 children
with autism for a year,” said Hampton.

“McGuinty’s priority was to give himself a $40,000 raise and slush fund money
to his friends. New Democrats will stand up for a fair deal for today’s working
families.”