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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.