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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.