March 27, 2026
The Trillium — Queen's Park Press GalleryThe Ontario Autism Coalition demands the $186M budget increase go directly to core clinical services. Spencer Carroll calls for independent audit authority over how public funds are spent.
Attribution: This page summarizes coverage by The Trillium published March 27, 2026. The Trillium is the press gallery publication at Queen's Park, Ontario's legislature.
The 2026 Ontario Budget announced $186 million in additional funding for the Ontario Autism Program, bringing total planned spending to $965 million — up from $779 million in 2025-26. The budget stated this would "enable more children and youth to access core clinical services."
But the Ontario Autism Coalition immediately pushed back, calling on the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to direct this funding exclusively to Core Clinical Services — not to foundational services, workshops, or administrative overhead.
OAC: Fund Core Services Exclusively
The OAC "emphatically calls on the Ministry to direct this funding exclusively to Core Clinical Services" — ABA, speech-language therapy, OT, and therapy equipment. Not workshops. Not admin. Core therapies.
Make It Permanent
The OAC called for the funding boost to be "made permanent," giving the sector stability instead of the "cycle of temporary funding patches."
Protect From Administrative Bloat
The OAC raised concern about funding being "absorbed by administrative costs or secondary programs that do not address the core crisis." OAC president Alina Cameron warned funding "must be protected from administrative bloat."
We are grateful to see the government move away from the cycle of temporary funding patches.
Foundational services and one-time workshops have their place, but they are not a substitute for the intensive, evidence-based therapy like ABA, SLP, and OT that children need to thrive. This budget increase will only be a success if it translates directly into more 'Invitation to Core Clinical Services' letters landing in parents' mailboxes.
Spencer Carroll echoed the OAC's demand for core-only funding — and went further, calling for independent audit authority over how program funds are spent.
Every new dollar should be directed to core clinical services with independent audit authority over how public funds are spent across the program. Without that, families have no way to verify whether this investment reaches a therapist's office or stops somewhere upstream.
Calling this the largest investment in program history is giving yourself a participation trophy. The waitlist is also the largest in program history.
Janet McLaughlin, an associate professor of health studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, noted that while the increase was welcome, the backlog is so substantial that most families will still face long delays.
Any increase in autism funding is welcome news for families who have been waiting far too long for services — unfortunately, the backlog to enter core services is so substantial that most families will likely still face long delays.
McLaughlin also called for additional funding for the education system, housing, and long-term supports for youth and adults with autism — areas the budget did not address.
Government Response (via The Trillium)
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services did not provide specifics on how the new funding would be allocated, saying only: "Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive."
The ministry stated that "under this government, the number of children in core clinical services has tripled" — but did not address where the $186 million would be directed or whether independent audit mechanisms would be implemented.
Published by The Trillium, March 27, 2026, by Sneh Duggal. Read the full article on thetrillium.ca
End The Wait Ontario's independent analysis shows that $186M — while significant — may not be enough to clear the backlog of 67,509 children waiting. Our Cost to Clear the Waitlist analysis models what it would actually take.
Also by The Trillium
March 25, 2026 — Sneh Duggal
Read coverageCBC News Investigation
March 30, 2026 — Brockbank & King
Read coverageHRTO Case Disclaimer
The legal claims in Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) involve specific individual circumstances and are distinct from the general advocacy positions expressed on this website. This case alleges that wait times during documented critical developmental windows may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Accountability
67,509 children are waiting. The OAC and End The Wait Ontario are demanding every dollar go to core clinical services with independent audit authority.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
$965M — Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
88,175 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23.4% — Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
OAP registrations jumped 21% since mid-2024, with the number of funded children dipping in some periods despite hundreds more registering
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March 27, 2026
The Trillium — Queen's Park Press GalleryThe Ontario Autism Coalition demands the $186M budget increase go directly to core clinical services. Spencer Carroll calls for independent audit authority over how public funds are spent.
Attribution: This page summarizes coverage by The Trillium published March 27, 2026. The Trillium is the press gallery publication at Queen's Park, Ontario's legislature.
The 2026 Ontario Budget announced $186 million in additional funding for the Ontario Autism Program, bringing total planned spending to $965 million — up from $779 million in 2025-26. The budget stated this would "enable more children and youth to access core clinical services."
But the Ontario Autism Coalition immediately pushed back, calling on the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to direct this funding exclusively to Core Clinical Services — not to foundational services, workshops, or administrative overhead.
OAC: Fund Core Services Exclusively
The OAC "emphatically calls on the Ministry to direct this funding exclusively to Core Clinical Services" — ABA, speech-language therapy, OT, and therapy equipment. Not workshops. Not admin. Core therapies.
Make It Permanent
The OAC called for the funding boost to be "made permanent," giving the sector stability instead of the "cycle of temporary funding patches."
Protect From Administrative Bloat
The OAC raised concern about funding being "absorbed by administrative costs or secondary programs that do not address the core crisis." OAC president Alina Cameron warned funding "must be protected from administrative bloat."
We are grateful to see the government move away from the cycle of temporary funding patches.
Foundational services and one-time workshops have their place, but they are not a substitute for the intensive, evidence-based therapy like ABA, SLP, and OT that children need to thrive. This budget increase will only be a success if it translates directly into more 'Invitation to Core Clinical Services' letters landing in parents' mailboxes.
Spencer Carroll echoed the OAC's demand for core-only funding — and went further, calling for independent audit authority over how program funds are spent.
Every new dollar should be directed to core clinical services with independent audit authority over how public funds are spent across the program. Without that, families have no way to verify whether this investment reaches a therapist's office or stops somewhere upstream.
Calling this the largest investment in program history is giving yourself a participation trophy. The waitlist is also the largest in program history.
Janet McLaughlin, an associate professor of health studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, noted that while the increase was welcome, the backlog is so substantial that most families will still face long delays.
Any increase in autism funding is welcome news for families who have been waiting far too long for services — unfortunately, the backlog to enter core services is so substantial that most families will likely still face long delays.
McLaughlin also called for additional funding for the education system, housing, and long-term supports for youth and adults with autism — areas the budget did not address.
Government Response (via The Trillium)
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services did not provide specifics on how the new funding would be allocated, saying only: "Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive."
The ministry stated that "under this government, the number of children in core clinical services has tripled" — but did not address where the $186 million would be directed or whether independent audit mechanisms would be implemented.
Published by The Trillium, March 27, 2026, by Sneh Duggal. Read the full article on thetrillium.ca
End The Wait Ontario's independent analysis shows that $186M — while significant — may not be enough to clear the backlog of 67,509 children waiting. Our Cost to Clear the Waitlist analysis models what it would actually take.
Also by The Trillium
March 25, 2026 — Sneh Duggal
Read coverageCBC News Investigation
March 30, 2026 — Brockbank & King
Read coverageHRTO Case Disclaimer
The legal claims in Carroll v. Ontario (HRTO 2025-62264-I) involve specific individual circumstances and are distinct from the general advocacy positions expressed on this website. This case alleges that wait times during documented critical developmental windows may constitute discrimination under Ontario's Human Rights Code.
Accountability
67,509 children are waiting. The OAC and End The Wait Ontario are demanding every dollar go to core clinical services with independent audit authority.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
$965M — Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
88,175 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
23.4% — Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
OAP registrations jumped 21% since mid-2024, with the number of funded children dipping in some periods despite hundreds more registering
Stay Updated
Join 2,400+ Ontario families. We email only when something notable happens — new FOI data, policy changes, or important next steps.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Your privacy is protected.