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e-2138 (Autism)

E-petition
Initiated by Mark Chapeskie from Ottawa, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 500,000 Canadians;
  • Supporting an individual with autism is beyond the financial means of most Canadians;
  • Intensive, early intervention has proven effective in the treatment of ASD;
  • The patchwork of federal and provincial programs fails to support people with ASD;
  • Major life transitions pose one of the greatest challenges for families (i.e. from high school to adulthood), and transition supports are insufficient;
  • Canadians with ASD are vulnerable;
  • Schools very rarely allow health care professionals on site to support children with ASD;
  • The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is in a conflict of interest when they determine Disability Tax Credit (DTC) eligibility; and
  • The Senate of Canada published “Pay now or pay later: Autism families in crisis” in 2007.
We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
1. Create a funded national autism and special needs strategy developed in partnership with provinces and territories, and needs-based, timely services delivered to Canadians in need, thus strengthening our commitment to human rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
2. Seek multi-partisan support;
3. Enshrine evidence-based therapies such as applied behaviour analysis, occupational therapy, speech therapy into the Canada Health Act;
4. Move eligibility assessments for the DTC from the CRA to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC);
5. Modify the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to permit withdrawals without penalty for post-secondary education;
6. Create an ombudsman to investigate when governments fail to honour the strategy;
7. Create programs for life transitions;
8. Expand the housing program for vulnerable groups;
9. Create a caregiver allowance for caregivers of high needs children; and
10. Regulate providers of autism therapy services.
Government response tabled on August 21, 2019 (Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-257-01)
Open for signature
April 5, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
May 5, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Chandra Arya (Nepean)
May 17, 2019 (Petition No. 421-03890)
Government response tabled
August 21, 2019
Photo - Chandra Arya
Nepean
Liberal Caucus
Ontario