Premier Refuses to Restore Cuts to Autism Therapy for Children in Front of Affected Families

QUEEN’S PARK – Today, families affected by the Liberal Government’s cuts to IBI therapy for children with autism over the age of five rallied on the lawns of Queen’s Park in protest. Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown addressed the rally of several hundred.

“As a result of these cuts, over 2,000 children will no longer be eligible for life-saving IBI therapy,” stated Brown. “That’s 2,000 children that had a world ahead of them, and the potential to do incredible and remarkable things, until the Liberal Government ripped their future out from right underneath them.”

Earlier in the day, Brown used Question Period to call on the Premier to restore the cuts to therapy in front of a Gallery packed with parents of children with autism.

“It’s not too late. Look at all the parents and children here,” Brown said. “Today the Premier can make a difference to thousands of families. Will she announce today she has reversed course and that IBI treatment won’t be taken away at five years old?”  The Premier refused to commit to restoring her Government’s cuts.

“The Ontario PC Caucus is going to continue to work hard day-in and day-out. We will continue to stand with families and children affected by autism. Because we know that autism doesn’t end at five,” Brown concluded.