Our response to Doug Ford's response about Stacy Kennedy
My heart breaks for Stacey and all families that have autistic children.
Suuuuuure, Doug.
I know my office DID talk to her
Yeah, your staffer said that staying there wouldn’t do any good.
Colin, I want to remind you I’m one of the only premiers in the history of this country that gives out a cell number.
So? Too bad you never pick up.
I talk to the average common folk every single day
We’re far from average. Just sayin.’
Let’s remember When I took office the autism file was an absolute disaster. Like, a complete disaster.
No, actually it wasn’t. It wasn’t perfect, but by no means a disaster. But rather than fix it, you destroyed it. Like, destroyed it. The first thing you did was freeze the waitlist so that kids who were told in August that their turn was next couldn’t get in as of September.
Since then we have doubled the funding for for the autism community
Actually you didn’t. The Financial Accountability Office of the Legislature says you left $174 million unspent. The only thing you doubled was the waitlist, from 23,000 kids to nearly 50,000.
We’re going to continue to help them out.
If it’s more of this kind of “help,” maybe it’s time to let someone else try.
My heart breaks for those folks.
Strange way to show it. We don’t want your pity. We want action.
An Open Letter to Jagmeet Singh—Do Not Ban ABA
Click to download the letter
A few federal NDP candidates are advocating for a ban on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services. Despite several requests there has been no statement from party leader Jagmeet Singh on whether this is official party policy. OAC president Angela Brandt has written an open leader to Mr. Singh requesting an official response. The letter has been distributed to the media.
Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program
July 29, 2021 Response to MCCSS Funding Announcement
COVID-19 Autism Support and Resources
OAC Education Resource Guide (2020)
Schreiner pens open letter calling on Doug Ford to fix backlogged Ontario Autism Program
Follow the recommendations from the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel for a needs-based system and remove the age-based cap on funding.
Toronto- Virtual Dog Show | Autism Ontario
Autism Ontario invites you and your family to attend a virtual dog show hosted by the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs Program.
Norwich girls make a difference with lemonade | The Woodstock Sentinel Review
Autism Ontario is a charitable organization representing thousands of people on the autism spectrum and their families for more than 46 years. Consisting of …
Ont. mother who camped outside premier’s office will have son’s autism file looked at:, minister
TORONTO — An Ontario mother, who had been holding a one-woman protest for the … Angela Brandt, president of the Ontario Autism Coalition, said Kennedy’s …
Off-road riders raise more than $5,500 for Autism East Ontario – The Review Newspaper
Funds from event will go to Autism Ontario East Region. Paul Taylor, who coordinated the event with his wife Nicole, said the success of the event …
Open Letter to Jagmeet Singh re Autism Services | SaultOnline.com
The Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) is disheartened that several federal NDP candidates have made anti Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) statements.
THE HAPPY POPCORN CO. MAKES CASH DONATION TO VARIOUS CHARITIES – The …
Centre York Centre and Autism Ontario are just two of the latest charities to benefit from the Business’ in store fundraising efforts.
Happy Popcorn Co. donates to local non-profits – Cornwall Seaway News
“Our son Jack is on the spectrum, and through Autism Ontario’s programming and events, we’ve been able to experience so many new activities with other …
Advocates want party leaders to commit to national autism plan – iPolitics
“If we’re putting in a report card for the federal (parties), it would be a C,” said Margaret Spoelstra, executive director of Autism Ontario.
Media Releases
- Response to MCCSS Funding Announcement
- Statement on Appointment of Minister Merrilee Fullerton
- Autism Community Takes Action Against Minister Todd Smith
- Ontario Autism Coalition Response to the Ontario Autism Program Pilot
- Ontario Autism Coalition Holds Annual General Meeting
- Another Year of Waiting for a Needs-Based Ontario Autism Program
- OAC Releases Education Recommendations for School Re-opening
- The Ford Government Short Changes Autism Families…Again
- Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program (EN)
- Families to Protest Delays to Autism Program (FR)
- Letter to Minister Smith Jan 2019
- Families Still Waiting for Details on New Autism Program
- Recommendations Release
- OAP Enhancement Doesn’t Address the Big Issues (Mar. 2019)
- Minister of Education’s “Autism Announcement” Is Too Little, Too Late (Mar. 2019)
- Ford Government’s One-Size-Fits-All Approach Fails All Children with Autism (Feb. 2019)
- Disability Advocates Call for Action Limiting When Principals Can Exclude Students from School (Jan. 2019)
- OAC demands that the Ford Government end the conflict of interest with the Regional Autism Programs (Nov. 2018)
- Parents Worried That Increased Special Education Funding Will Not Be Spent On What’s Needed (Mar. 2018)
- OAC Will Protest the Lack of Appropriate Supports in Schools for Students with Autism and Other Special Education Needs (Oct. 2017)
- OAC Calls On Ministry of Education to Issue Consistent Policy Allowing Autism Service Dogs In Ontario Schools (Sep. 2017)
- The Autism Community Will Remind The Wynne Government That The New Autism Program Must Serve All Children And Youth With Autism (Apr. 2017)
- Education System Must Change to Meet the Needs of Students with Autism (Apr. 2017)
Briefing Notes to Government
- Presentation To Finance Committee
- Recommendations for Special Education in Ontario’s Public Schools: Exclusions, Suspensions and Expulsions (Oct. 2018)
- Recommendations for changes to the Ontario Autism Program (Aug. 2018)
- Rethinking the Ontario Autism Program – Direct Funding as a Way Forward (May 2016)
Important Letters
- Letter To Minister Smith (Jan 2019)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Lisa MacLeod – Bill 64, Noah and Gregory’s Law (Dec. 2018)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Lisa M. Thompson – Ontario Schools that Exclude or Refuse to Admit Students with Disabilities (Dec. 2018)
- The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (Aug. 2018)
- Letter to Minister Hon. Mitzie Hunter (July 2017)
- Letter to the Minister Hon. Michael Coteau (Sept 2016)