{"meta":{"agent_id":"end-the-wait-ontario","timestamp":"2026-08-15T06:01:58.391Z","version":"3.1.0","last_verified":"2026-08-10","source":"MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026, released in response to an Ontario Autism Coalition Freedom of Information request and published by the OAC in July 2026; part of the same bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress-report series as FOI release CSS2026-0749 (to Mar 4, 2026) and the CBC News FOI investigation (Jun 2024 – Jan 2026)."},"waitlist":{"total_registered":91974,"enrolled_in_core":24417,"active_funding_agreements":20711,"waiting_without_funding":71263,"wait_time_estimate":"5+ years","source_date":"2026-05-13","growth_rate":"+918/month","trend":"increasing","note":"Excludes children awaiting autism diagnosis who cannot yet register with the OAP."},"funding":{"core_clinical_max":65000,"core_clinical_min":6600,"interim_one_time":[22000,5500],"is_needs_based":true,"program_name":"Ontario Autism Program (OAP)","highlights":[{"metric":"Core Clinical Services range","value":"$6,600–$65,000/year","source":"MCCSS Determination of Needs framework; tracked by ETWO funding guide"},{"metric":"Legacy Childhood Budget allocation range","value":"$5,000-$20,000 one-time legacy stream for eligible pre-April-2021 registrants","source":"MCCSS Ontario Autism Program legacy funding rules; current stream is Core Clinical Services"},{"metric":"One-time legacy family payment","value":"$5,500","source":"Ontario Autism Program legacy one-time funding; not renewable"},{"metric":"Budget total 2026-27","value":"$965 million","source":"Government of Ontario, 2026 Ontario Budget, tabled March 26, 2026"},{"metric":"Funding increase since 2017","value":"67% ($409M -> $628M)","source":"FAO"}]},"comparisons":{"interprovincial":[{"jurisdiction":"British Columbia","model":"Direct Funding to Families","waitTime":"6-12 months","serviceRate":"80%","funding":"$22,000 max/year"},{"jurisdiction":"Alberta","model":"Regional Direct Funding","waitTime":"6-18 months","serviceRate":"80%","funding":"$45,000 max/year"},{"jurisdiction":"United States (Medicaid)","model":"Mandated Coverage","waitTime":"1-3 months","serviceRate":"95%","funding":"Unlimited (medically necessary)"},{"jurisdiction":"United Kingdom","model":"NHS + Education","waitTime":"3-6 months","serviceRate":"75%","funding":"Free at point of service"},{"jurisdiction":"Australia","model":"NDIS Individual Packages","waitTime":"6-12 months","serviceRate":"70%","funding":"$35,000 AUD average"},{"jurisdiction":"Ontario (Current)","model":"Centralized Waitlist","waitTime":"5+ years (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026)","serviceRate":"22.5%","funding":"$6,600-$65,000 (needs-based)"}]}}