From 2007 to 2025, Ontario autism policy has been marked by broken promises, inadequate funding, and growing waitlists. The February 2019 funding cuts sparked the largest autism protests in provincial history. Despite partial reversals, 60,000+ children still wait years for services. Understanding this history shows why fundamental reform - not incremental changes - is needed.
Of policy failures
Responsible since 2018
Children still waiting
Ontario Liberal government establishes Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) program for young children with autism. Initially well-funded but eligibility is limited.
Demand for services grows faster than funding. Waitlists expand. Age caps exclude older children. Families begin paying out-of-pocket. Regional disparities emerge.
Liberal government announces reformed Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Promises "clear, fair, and sustainable" program. Removes age caps. Announces needs-based funding.
New OAP begins implementation. Diagnosis pathway streamlined. But service delivery remains backlogged. Transition creates confusion and gaps.
Progressive Conservative government elected in June. Campaign included promises to "fix" autism services. Autism community cautiously hopeful.
Lisa MacLeod announces radical OAP overhaul. Introduces Childhood Budgets: $20,000/year under 6, $5,000/year 6+. Flat funding regardless of needs. Experts condemn decision.
Thousands of parents protest at Queen's Park. Largest autism protest in Ontario history. Parents bring children, fill legislature. Media coverage is extensive.
Minister Lisa MacLeod removed from Children's portfolio after intense backlash. Todd Smith becomes Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
Government creates Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel. Includes parents, providers, and experts. Tasked with fixing the program. Raises cautious hope.
Government announces return to needs-based funding model. Childhood Budgets will be based on clinical assessment rather than age alone. Implementation timeline unclear.
Pandemic shuts down in-person services. Therapy sessions cancelled. Children regress without intervention. Telehealth introduced but inadequate for many. Waitlists frozen.
Government launches Core Clinical Services pilot. Promises evidence-based clinical programs. But waitlists remain years long. Only fraction of children served.
Progressive Conservatives win majority government. Autism barely mentioned in campaign. No major new commitments to program reform or funding.
OAP waitlist officially exceeds 50,000 children. Auditor General report criticizes program management. Wait times average 3-5 years. Parents continue protests.
Government announces incremental funding increases. New service capacity added. But experts say it's insufficient to clear backlog. Waitlist hits 60,000.
60,000+ children waiting. Average wait 2-5 years. Funding covers 10-15% of therapy costs. Another generation of children missing early intervention. Families demand action.
For 18 years, Ontario has failed its autistic children. Different governments, same result. The current crisis is not an accident - it's the predictable outcome of policy choices. Only sustained, organized pressure from families will force the systemic change required.
Your voice, combined with thousands of others, can write the next chapter of this timeline.
History shows that change happens when families unite and demand it. Join us in creating a turning point for Ontario autism services.
Share this timeline:
endthewaitontario.com/policy-timeline