Frankly, I reject the premise of that entire question. Our government is implementing a world-leading program that has been created by the autism community for the autism community. It is a comprehensive needs-based program.

We are meeting our benchmarks, as we said we would. All children, as of the beginning of this year, have received an invitation. If anyone hasn’t checked their email box or answered the phone or received a letter, then they need to do so to make sure that they can get into the program.

This is a comprehensive program with mental health, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy. This is an ongoing effort to create the supports that vulnerable children and families need, and our government is continuing to do that work. We have been doing that work throughout.

The issue is, unfortunately, there is information that goes out into the media that is perhaps incorrect. We need to look into that and find out what is true in that statement, so thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Interjection.

Absolutely, we listened. The autism community wanted a new program. We developed a new program that is world-leading, and we are implementing that program. AccessOAP is responsible for intake. That is happening.

Despite what the member opposite says, I can tell the public with all complete honesty that we are implementing the program by the autism community, for the autism community—that they asked us to change. We’re doing exactly that, and we’ll continue this important work.

My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Children and parents are being betrayed by this Conservative government’s autism program. A recent news report shared the story of a mother who has moved out of province for better services after being told her child would have to wait until 2027 for a determination of needs assessment. Another mother was forced to take a leave from work simply because she had to sit with her son in school, because he is stuck on a wait-list with no end in sight.

Speaker, it is beyond clear that this government and this minister have failed. What is the minister going to do to overhaul this broken system?

What does it say about Ontario that this Conservative government is knowingly depriving children with autism of the supports they need to reach every opportunity for a good life?

For five years, this Conservative government has been announcing and re-announcing changes to the Ontario Autism Program, and yet children are falling further and further behind.

This minister promised to fund 8,000 kids into core clinical services by fall of 2022, but in October, just 1,511 children had entered into service agreements—that’s agreements; that’s not actual service. This is 19% of their target. This government has failed to reach its own benchmark.

Can the minister provide families with any guarantee that children will receive services in a timely manner? Yes or no?