A bill aimed at creating a long-term coordinated strategy to help Manitobans living with autism has returned to its original wording. “I am here to announce that we will be rescinding all of the amendments that were made the other night at standing committee and we will revert back to the original bill,” said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine on Friday. Fontaine said she heard the voices of families concerned about Bill 232, the Autism Strategy Act. Some people were outraged last week, when amendments were introduced to design the bill specifically for children leaving out older adults living with autism. That has now changed. “We’re a listening government,” Fontaine said. “I know it’s important for families to feel that their loved ones are included in the strategy, and that’s what we’re doing.” Guy Mercier told CTV News he was one of many advocates and parents who spoke in front of the legislature last week. His 25-year-old son Sam lives with autism, and he said families like his need support. “Some of the stories were very horrific,” Mercier said, who also is the president for Manitoba Families for Effective Autism Treatment. “Both about supports for children and supports for adults where they’d fallen through the cracks and then the families just have to put everything on their backs to carry it forward and it’s very stressful.” “Inclusion is good for everyone because we all deserve to live with a great life and be happy,” Sam Mercier said. Anne Kresta, an advocate for employment opportunities for Manitobans living with autism, said this bill can be a game changer. Her two adult sons have autism, and it’s in part why she launched Level It Up many years ago, connecting those living with autism with employers. She believes 1 in every 50 people in the province or roughly 35,000 Manitobans may be on the autism spectrum. Kresta said the Autism Strategy Act will lay the groundwork for children and adult autistic support programs. “It was amazing, it’s validation that this was the right course to take, that the actions we took over the past week in speaking out against those amendments was actually effective,” Kresta said. “Community and government can work together cause we’re aligned now with a common understanding of what we want to achieve.” Bill 232 is expected to receive its third reading on Tuesday.
