Privacy, on your terms.Analytics run by default. Decline any time.
Data journalism
Original journalism and data releases on the Ontario Autism Program: waitlist tracking, budget accountability, and school investigations.
Direct answer
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Verified 2026-08-10
The story so far
This newsroom publishes primary-source reporting on the Ontario Autism Program. Every figure below traces to a government record, an FAO analysis, or an FOI release, not to a press release.
Media reporting reflects a provincial pattern, not individual incidents.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Figures as of · MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · checked
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026. Verified 2026-08-10.
Coverage index
Each desk links to its current reporting, data, or investigation record.
| Desk | Coverage | Cadence | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| InvestigationsOriginal Journalism | 16 original investigations. Key findings: 44.5% of $691.2M was allocated to core clinical services in 2023-24 (MCCSS data via FOI, reported by The Trillium); $57.9M was allocated to AccessOAP; 8 school boards are under supervision. | Ad-hoc | MCCSS data via FOI, reported by The Trillium · 2023-24; board status verified 2026-08-12Investigations reporting |
| Waitlist TrackerLive Data | 91,974 registered. 71,263 waiting for a funding agreement. Historical trend and methodology for understanding the official numbers. | Updated as data is released | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · verified 2026-08-10Waitlist Tracker reporting |
| Budget AnalysisBudget Watch | $965M allocated for 2026–27. FAO finds $1.35B/year is needed, a $385M annual gap. What the money covers, and what it costs to clear the waitlist. | Quarterly + Budget Day | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · verified 2026-08-10Budget Analysis reporting |
| School Board Takeover TrackerEducation | Eight Ontario school boards under provincial supervision, tracking the legislative and governance developments affecting autistic students. | Event-driven | Ministry of Education school board oversight page · updated 2026-08-12School Board Takeover Tracker reporting |
| Data HubData Desk | All datasets, FOI releases, and methodology documentation, structured for journalists, researchers, and families who need verified figures. | Ongoing | MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · verified 2026-08-10Data Hub reporting |
Primary sources. FAO, MCCSS Spending Plan Review (June 2024); MCCSS OAP spending data obtained by The Trillium (Village Media) via FOI. Full figures and citations appear on each linked investigation.
Update trackers
Each tracker follows one part of the story and shows the source and date for what it reports.
What Ontario budgets for the Ontario Autism Program, and how that compares with the cost of clearing the waitlist using the FAO method.
Dated snapshots of how many children are registered with the program and how many have an active funding agreement.
Which Ontario school boards are under provincial supervision, and what it means for autistic students and special education.
An index of FOI releases, FAO reports, and budget documents on the program, for journalists and researchers.
What did CBC News find about the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
CBC News reviewed 18 months of bi-weekly OAP progress reports obtained via FOI (Jun 2024 – Jan 2026). The latest verified figures show 91,974 children registered as of May 2026 with only 20,711 receiving funding — still under 25%. Registrations jumped 21% since mid-2024. In some periods, funded children decreased while hundreds more registered.
Source: CBC News Investigation, Mar 30, 2026 · Open source record
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Open source record
Has End The Wait Ontario been featured in CBC News?
Yes. CBC News featured End The Wait Ontario and founder Spencer Carroll in a March 30, 2026 investigation into the Ontario autism waitlist. Carroll was quoted calling for greater transparency and accountability: "Only through accountability can we see whether or not these funds are being deployed responsibly." The article highlighted the site as a comprehensive resource for affected parents.
Source: CBC News, Mar 30, 2026 · Open source record
The evidence
All data on this site is sourced from government records, FOI releases, and FAO analyses. Contact us for media inquiries or to access source materials.
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
91,974
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
22.5%
Only 20,711 children have active funding agreements (22.5%), 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
$965M
Ontario allocated $965M to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.
Founder & Autism Advocate
Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system