B.C. halts plans to change autism support funding after pushback
B.C. Premier David Eby is ending a busy first week in office with a big win for families with autism.
The province is reversing course on a controversial plan to phase out funding for children with an autism diagnosis by 2025, the premier’s office announced Friday.
"Every child in B.C. should have the supports they need to thrive," Eby said in the release. "We are focused on listening to families of children and youth with support needs."
Under the current system, families with children under age six who have an autism diagnosis are eligible for $22,000 each year in support funding, with an annual fund of $6,000 available for older kids with the same needs.
In October 2021, the province announced it would be moving to a new service model for children with support needs and disabilities. Under the new model, the province pledged to establish "one stop connection hubs" that would provide services from birth to age 19, with no diagnosis required.
Earlier in the transition process, the government defended its plan, claiming it would be able to help around 8,300 more children who were getting lost in the system.
Families and advocacy groups quickly pushed back on the issue, saying that people would actually have less access to care and potentially lose the services they're already receiving.
The issue arose again on Monday when families and advocacy group AutismBC delivered a report to the province, which included a survey of 1,400 caregivers of children with autism.
The report found that only four per cent of respondents wanted the changes outlined in the plan.
The rollout of this plan has now been paused, with the exception of four pilots that will be launched and evaluated in the new year.
Friday’s announcement followed meetings between the premier, B.C.’s Children and Family Development Minister Mitzi Dean, and representatives from the First Nations Leadership Council and AutismBC.
It followed the passing of new legislation in B.C. that recognizes the inherent right of Indigenous people to govern their own family services and child welfare.
Indigenous leaders are applauding the government’s decision to change plans.
"This decision shows that the premier has listened, understood and provided leadership," said Cheryl Casimir, First Nations Summit political executive. "This is a good day because it gives all an opportunity to transform the system in a way that supports all children with all disabilities."
Moving forward, the province says it will commit to further engagement with leaders in the disability community and First Nations leadership.
The province also plans to invest in more supports for children with disabilities that are considered underserved, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and Down syndrome.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick among most overworked provinces in Canada, study finds
A study says Prince Edward Island is the second most overworked province in Canada based on average weekly hours worked, while New Brunswick falls in third.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.