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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

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end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

Getting Started

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)

Common Questions

  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts

Tools

  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker

Providers

  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider

Funding & Support

  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP

Your Region

  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions

Evidence & Data

  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?

Take Action

  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit

About

  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact
end|thewaitontario

End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led source for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) statistics and advocacy. Serving families, researchers, and journalists across Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and all regions of Ontario.

  • Browse All Pages
  • Search
  • Diagnosis Guide
  • While You Wait
  • Facts (Citation Ready)
  • All Questions
  • How Long Is the Wait?
  • What Is the OAP?
  • How Many Are Waiting?
  • Options While Waiting
  • Funding Amounts
  • Parent Navigator
  • Next Steps Tool
  • Wait Estimator
  • Funding Estimator
  • Therapy Budget
  • Waitlist Tracker
  • Provider Directory
  • Choosing a Provider
  • Submit a Provider
  • OAP Overview
  • Funding Guide
  • Eligibility
  • How to Register
  • DTC & RDSP
  • Toronto
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton
  • London
  • Mississauga
  • All Regions
  • Evidence Library
  • Data Hub
  • Waitlist Data
  • Cost Calculator
  • Data Stories
  • Where Does the Money Go?
  • Action Hub
  • Write Your MPP
  • File Complaint
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • Our Story
  • Transparency
  • Media References
  • Founder
  • Press
  • Contact

Legal Disclaimer: This website presents advocacy arguments based on publicly available data and legal frameworks. While we strive for accuracy, this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a guarantee of any specific legal outcome.

Independence: End The Wait Ontario is a parent-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Autism Coalition, Autism Ontario, or the World Health Organization. We cite FOI data obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition as a matter of public record. This does not constitute affiliation. References to these organizations are for informational purposes; no endorsement is implied.

Non-partisan policy advocacy: We advocate on policy outcomes for children and families and do not endorse any political party or candidate.

Statistics are current as of the dates cited and may change. For specific legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney. For medical advice, consult qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: 2026.

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Carroll v. Ontario · HRTO 2025-62264-I · our own pending, unadjudicated application

© 2026 End The Wait Ontario. All rights reserved. · Parent-led advocacy · Not a government agency

  1. Home
  2. ›Policy
  3. ›Ontario Election 2026 Autism Platforms

Voter Resource

Ontario Election 2026, Autism Platforms

With 69,166 children waiting for OAP Core Clinical Services, autism is a significant voter issue in the 2026 Ontario election. This page summarizes publicly available party positions, it is not an endorsement of any party.

On this page

A clear path through the topic.

  1. 1Public record
  2. 2What it means
  3. 3Next steps

Important disclaimer

This page reflects publicly available statements as of April 2026. Parties update platforms frequently, verify current positions directly with each party before making voting decisions. This resource is informational only and does not constitute an endorsement of any party or candidate.

Quick summary

  • 69,166 children are waiting for OAP Core Clinical Services as of March 2026 (Ontario Autism Coalition FOI).
  • The governing PCs have a documented budget and program record, see /policy/ford-autism-promises-tracker.
  • Opposition parties (NDP, Liberals, Greens) have publicly called for expanded funding and waitlist elimination.
  • 2026 election platforms were not yet fully published as of April 2026, verify with each party.
  • Families can engage candidates through the Ontario Autism Coalition (ontarioautismcoalition.com).

Why autism is a 2026 election issue

With 89,799 children registered and 69,166 (77%) waiting for funded Core Clinical Services (per Ontario Autism Coalition FOI of OAP bi-weekly progress reports, March 4, 2026), the OAP waitlist represents one of Ontario's most significant children's services backlogs.

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO, 2024) found that current budget levels are insufficient to clear the waitlist at current growth rates. The estimated funding gap is $385M between the FAO 2020 benchmark and the 2026-27 OAP budget (Ontario Budget 2026-27; FAO 2020).

Families of children on the OAP waitlist are concentrated across every Ontario riding. Autism policy is therefore a cross-regional voter issue.

Party positions, public record

Progressive Conservative (PC)

Premier Doug Ford (governing party)

  • 2026-27 Budget: $965M OAP allocation, government describes as largest autism investment in Ontario history (Ontario Budget 2026-27).
  • The Ford government launched the needs-based OAP framework in 2022 and introduced universal Foundational Family Services.
  • 2026 election platform not yet released as of April 2026, check ontariopc.ca for current platform.

As the governing party, the PC record on OAP is documented at /policy/ford-autism-promises-tracker. The 2026 election platform had not been published as of April 2026.

Sources: Ontario Budget 2026-27; MCCSS program announcements; ontariopc.ca

Ontario NDP

Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Leader

  • The Ontario NDP has consistently called for elimination of the OAP waitlist through official Hansard statements and press releases.
  • NDP MPPs have introduced private members' bills related to OAP reform and waitlist elimination.
  • The NDP has called for increased autism funding and structural reforms to the Core Clinical Services delivery model.

Specific bill numbers and Hansard references are available at ola.org. Verify current NDP autism platform at ontariondp.ca.

Sources: Ontario Hansard (ola.org); ontariondp.ca

Ontario Liberal Party

Bonnie Crombie, Ontario Liberal Leader

  • Ontario Liberals have publicly called for increased autism funding and reforms to improve Core Clinical Services access.
  • Liberal Hansard statements have cited the OAP waitlist as a key policy failure requiring immediate attention.
  • The Liberal party has called for a review of the OAP framework to address service gaps.

Specific statements and Hansard references are available at ola.org. Verify current Liberal autism platform at ontarioliberal.ca.

Sources: Ontario Hansard (ola.org); ontarioliberal.ca

Ontario Green Party

Mike Schreiner, Ontario Greens Leader

  • Ontario Greens have publicly supported waitlist elimination and direct family funding models for autism services.
  • Green party Hansard statements have cited the OAP waitlist as a systemic equity issue.
  • The Greens have called for increased OAP funding and structural changes to service delivery.

Verify current Green autism platform at gpo.ca.

Sources: Ontario Hansard (ola.org); gpo.ca

How to engage candidates on autism

1

Find your MPP candidate

Search ontario.ca for your electoral district and candidate contact information.

2

Ask a direct question

Ask each candidate: "What specific steps will you take to reduce the OAP waitlist? What is your party's position on the $385Mfunding gap identified by the FAO?"

3

Ontario Autism Coalition voter resources

The OAC provides voter engagement tools and candidate questionnaire responses at ontarioautismcoalition.com.

4

Attend a candidate event

Candidate debates and town halls are opportunities to raise autism services directly. Bring data: 69,166 children waiting, $385M estimated gap.

Frequently asked questions

What do Ontario parties promise on autism services?▾

As of April 2026, each major party has made public statements on OAP but 2026 election platforms are in progress. The governing PCs have a documented budget and program record. Opposition parties (NDP, Liberals, Greens) have consistently called for expanded funding and waitlist elimination through Hansard statements and press releases. Verify current platforms directly with each party before the election.

Has any party committed to ending the OAP waitlist?▾

The Ontario NDP has made public statements consistent with ending the OAP waitlist as a policy goal, per Hansard records. Other parties have called for increased funding and reform. No party has published a 2026 election platform with a specific, costed commitment to clear the waitlist as of April 2026. Verify with each party directly.

How do I find out what my local MPP thinks about autism services?▾

Search Ontario Hansard at ola.org for your MPP's name to find recorded speeches and votes on autism-related bills. You can also contact your MPP's constituency office directly, attend town halls, or email through the Ontario Autism Coalition's advocacy resources at ontarioautismcoalition.com.

Is there an Ontario autism voter guide?▾

The Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) is the primary provincial advocacy organization for families. The OAC regularly publishes information on party positions and provides voter engagement resources at ontarioautismcoalition.com. This page provides a factual summary of publicly available party statements but is not an endorsement of any party.

When is the next Ontario election?▾

Ontario's next fixed election date is June 2026 under the Election Act. Elections can occur earlier if the Legislature is dissolved. Verify the current election schedule at ontario.ca. Families are encouraged to register to vote, engage their local candidates on autism services, and contact the Ontario Autism Coalition for up-to-date voter resources.

Policy Reform

Write to your MPP about the OAP waitlist.

Whether before or after the election, your MPP needs to hear from families affected by autism service gaps.

Write to your MPPFord government autism record

Verified References & Sources

Updated: Mar 2026

Government Reports & Data

  • [2023]
    Exclusion of Students With Disabilities — 2023 SurveyVerified FAO Data
    Community Living Ontario • Report • 2023-10-01
    View
  • [2024]
    Inclusion Without Proper Support Is AbandonmentVerified FAO Data
    Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario • Report • 2024-06-01
    View
  • [2020]
    Autism ServicesVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2020-07-21
    View
  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) • Report • 2026-03-04
    View
  • MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports (FOI release CSS2026-0749). Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario) (March 2026)
  • Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review (2024). Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (2024)
About This Article

Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system

Evidence on this page

The source chain stays visible.

Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.

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Last system verification: 2026-06-13. Next scheduled update: 2026-09-10.
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