Apr. 3 Update: Going on hiatus for a little while.
In case you missed it, there was a press conference yesterday regarding the consultations around the Ontario Autism Program. There was quite a bit of hype, but in the end it felt like a bit of a nothingburger. Here’s my very brief summary. Louis Busch wrote a much better, much more detailed summary.
I think this will be my last update for awhile. I don’t anticipate any big announcements or changes in the next few months. I will be slowly updating my Ontario Autism Program FAQ, so watch for changes there and please keep asking questions.
I honestly don’t know what to make of the consultations. I hope they produce something of value and help create a better OAP. In my view, there’s no reason to take the $600 million number at face value, when the government has misled us about millions throughout this entire process. I can’t help to think that what the government is doing here is ragging the puck until after the federal election is over, in an effort not to harm the “Conservative” brand with Ontarians, and once the election is over we’re back to an OAP that looks similar to what was announced on March 21. Really hope I’m wrong on that.
I need to take some time off from writing and tweeting about these issues. The absolutely callous way the Ford government has treated families has (justifiably) left me incredibly angry and bitter. It’s starting to turn me into someone, frankly, I’d rather not be. It’s not good for the soul.
It’s also left me highly distrusting and disliking politicians. All of them. That’s a bit of a career liability when you do public policy for a living. (Speaking of which, check out my blog post from earlier today: The Toronto Exodus and Regional Economic Development).
Don’t worry — I’ll be back… at the appropriate juncture, in due course, in the fullness of time.
Ontario Government Resources
- Program details from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
- Transcripts from Question Period.
- Feb. 6 Press Release: Helping Families by Improving Access to Autism Services.
- Feb. 6 Press Release: Ontario Takes Decisive Action to Help More Families with Autism.
- Feb. 6 Press Release: Electronic Press Kit Now Available: Ontario Takes Decisive Action to Help More Families with Autism.
- Feb. 7 Press Release: New Ontario Autism Program Draws Support From Across the Province.
- Mar. 11 Press Release: Ontario Continues to Support Students with Autism.
- Mar. 22 Press Release: Ontario Enhancing Support for Children with Autism.
