| AUTISM ‘ANNOUNCEMENT’ OFFERS NOTHING NEW FROM DITHERING LIBERALS |
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| Wednesday, 16 May 2007 19:00 |
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Liberal press release a retread of announcement made three months ago NEPEAN-CARLETON, May 17, 2007 – Official Opposition Children & Youth Critic Lisa MacLeod today said that after four years of inaction for families of children with Autism, the McGuinty Liberals are trying to make up ground with only a few months before election day by trying to pass off announcements made months ago as news. “The McGuinty Liberals made an announcement back in February about promising to force school boards to provide Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in schools,” said MacLeod. “Their attempt today to pass this off as news doesn’t answer questions about how, or when, they plan to implement their promise. Parents are tired of excuses and broken promises.” Following the February 23 announcement from the McGuinty Liberals that schools would have to provide ABA, Autism advocates raised questions asking if the program would be in place by the beginning of the next school year, what plans were in place to help school boards get programs up and running in time, how new staff and resources would be funded, as well as just what the new program would look like. To date, there have been few answers. According to the Canadian Press, Liberal Education Minister Kathleen Wynne said in April, “Will we have it all implemented by Labour Day in September? No.” MacLeod and Opposition Leader John Tory have a realistic plan for Autism funding which includes $75 million a year to cut the waiting list for children under six. “With only five months to go before the election, the McGuinty Liberals are scrambling at the last minute to look like they didn’t wait four years to even look at this problem,” said MacLeod. “I don’t think parents of Autistic children will be fooled by this government. Our children deserve better.” - 30 - For more information: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Nepean-Carleton: 613-823-2116 Queen’s Park: 416-325-6351 Cell: 613-297-2051 Web: www.lisamacleod.com |