KARIN Kirkpatrick, Opposition Critic for Children, Family Development and Childcare, on Monday kept pressing the government “to listen to many heartbroken parents, who are furious about the NDP’s top-down approach and callous announcement to end direct autism funding by 2025.”
The BC Liberals said they had received numerous emails from families and advocates expressing serious concerns for the lack of transparency, information and consultation regarding the decision. They added that such a dramatic change would take away the well-established supports and relationships that took many years to build, while creating another waitlist for families to compete with each other for already scarce resources and services.
Kirkpatrick stressed that parents should not be removed from the decision-making process when it comes to the care of their children, especially children with support needs. They want — and rightfully deserve — choices and direct involvement. It is time for the NDP to show some respect and stop the clawback of the autism funding, she said.
VIDEO:Â MLA Kirkpatrick presses the NDP to stop the clawback of autism funding