Windsor - April 3, 2019 - I am writing to you today with regard to the John McGivney Children’s Centre in my riding of Windsor West. Late last week, the Centre issued 17 layoff notices to members of their staff, primarily to instructor therapists. These layoffs are in direct response to the changes to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), introduced by your ministry.

The John McGivney Children’s Centre is a vital part of our community in Windsor, due to the incredible work they do to support children and youth with disabilities. The Centre offers a range of services, from assessments and consultations, to the provision of assistive devices and various therapies. They also offer services through the OAP.

As you know, your government’s changes to the OAP have been fiercely opposed by families, service providers, and educators. The callous cuts you made to the program have not only forced families to make unthinkably difficult decisions - like whether to sell their house or deny their children life-changing therapy - but service providers are suffering as well. From Child and Community Resources in northern Ontario to Kidsability in Kitchener, and now, the John McGivney Centre in Windsor West, we’re hearing about more and more layoffs.

The John McGivney Centre has said that these layoffs are a direct result of the change to the funding model in your new OAP. Minister, your announcement today about a plan to consult with communities does not reverse the lay-offs to service providers seen across Ontario, nor does it undo the turmoil your OAP changes have caused families. It’s time to move forward with a fully funded, needs and evidence-based autism strategy.

You have claimed these staff layoffs are premature, but the reality is that your government has created a crisis in the developmental services and autism sectors. For weeks, my office has received conflicting information about the program from you and your ministry. Despite yesterday, April 1, being the day the new OAP took effect, we continue to lack crucial information. If these layoffs are premature, it’s because of the anxiety and uncertainty that you have caused.

Four years ago, the John McGivney Children’s Centre’s preschool program was at risk of closure, after the Ministry of Education halted its funding. The preschool program is invaluable as a support for parents and their children with disabilities, so I worked closely with community members to advocate for its continuation under the then-Liberal government. I wrote letters and submitted petitions, and eventually, the government relented, and we were able to save the program.

The Centre is again at risk, now because of the changes from your government. I am imploring you to reconsider your changes to the OAP, and to provide parents and service providers with the clarity they desperately need, in order to properly plan for the future. Let today be Day 1 in the push to find a solution for the many families and workers impacted by the OAP changes. Show your commitment to children with autism, and put a fully funded, needs and evidence-based autism strategy into your government’s budget.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Lisa Gretzky, MPP
Windsor West