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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
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.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.