The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is responded to a recent protests held in front of his constituency offices last week.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union led “Families Know Best Voyage” was intended to raise awareness of how funding cuts to provincial autism programs were impacting families in northwestern Ontario.
Rickford says any talk of cuts to autism funding couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“There’s not a jurisdiction in North America, state or province, that invests more in children and families with autism,” says Rickford.
He adds any issue related accessing autism programs aren’t due to budget cuts.
He says its more about the lack of available services in northern Ontario.
Rickford says an advisory panel is being put together and will conduct consultations in the northwest this spring related to how best to service children with special needs.