Province reverses course, sticking with current autism funding model after backlash
The B.C. government will stick with its current model of autism funding after facing major backlash from parents and advocacy groups for over a year.
The province was planning to ditch the current individualized funding for children on the autism spectrum, and move to a hub model.
However, after meeting with representatives from AutismBC, as well as Indigenous leaders, Premier David Eby announced Friday that his government will stick with the status quo, and pause plans to open 40 so-called family connection centres, with the exception of four pilot projects.
“We don’t want those parents to face any more stress,” said Eby. “We’ve been listening, and government is responding."
Eby also announced that there will be additional funding for children with other disabilities.
"My hope here is that we have a reset where parents are reassured that they'll get the services they need regardless of that child’s diagnosis,” the premier said.
The news comes a major relief for the President of AutismBC, Kaye Banez, whose 10-year-old son Lazarus is on the autism spectrum.
"We are absolutely relieved and grateful,” Banez said.
Banez, who was among those who met with Eby, says the individualized funding is absolutely vital for families across the province.
She says out of 1,500 families surveyed, 96 per cent wanted to keep the current funding model.
“The parents are really able to choose the right service providers, the right therapies and supports for their children. It will play on their children’s strengths,” she said.
Banez says Lazarus has been working with many of the same therapists since he was very young.
"All of those things are such essential supports for him. To lose that, you just couldn't sleep knowing that they were about to be taken away,” Banez said.
She says she’s thankful for all the families who joined the year-plus battle.
“I’m just so grateful to those parents," Banez said. "We keep on. We just keep on.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.