During the last election, Dalton McGuinty promised that he would end the age cutoff for children in the IBI program.

----- Original Message -----
From: Karli_Farrow@ontarioliberal.com
To: nancymorrison@rogers.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 6:01 PM
Subject: IBI Treatment

> Dear Ms. Morrison,
>
> Please find attached a letter from Dalton McGuinty in response to your request for information
> regarding the Ontario Liberal Party's stance on autism services. Feel free to distribute the letter to
> other interested parties. Thank you for contacting us.
>
> Regards,
>
> Karli Farrow
> Policy Analyst
>
>
>
> September 17, 2003
>
>
> Dear Ms. Morrison:
>
> Thank you kindly for your e-mail requesting information on the Ontario Liberal Party's position on
> IBI treatment for autistic children. I appreciate the vital issues you raised and would be pleased
> to address them at this time.
>
> First of all, let me say that I admire your determination and all your hard work -- not only on behalf
> of your son but all autistic children in our province. You have clearly put a lot of time and effort
> into ensuring that autistic children of all ages are able to enjoy the best possible quality of life.
> Among some of the most vulnerable members of our society, these children need -- and deserve --
> our help and support. And, like other children, they deserve every opportunity for future success.
> Sadly, as you and many other Ontario families are experiencing first-hand, far too few autistic
> children in our province are getting the help and support they so desperately need.
>
> As you pointed out, autism is on the rise and is affecting the lives of an increasing number of Ontario
> families, either directly or indirectly. Currently there are only about 500 children in the province
> receiving government-funded IBI treatment. It is alarming and unacceptable that there are almost
> twice as many on a waiting list.
>
> I also believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children over six is unfair
> and discriminatory. The Ontario Liberals support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six.
> We are not at all confident that the Harris-Eves Conservatives care to devise any innovative solution
> for autistic children over six -- especially those with best outcome possibilities that might potentially
> be helped within the school system with specially trained EAs.
>
> In government, my team and I will work with clinical directors, parents, teachers and school boards to
> devise a feasible way in which autistic children in our province can get the support and treatment
> they need. That includes children over the age of six.
>
> Ms. Morrison, I hope I have been able to shed some light on my party's position on IBI treatment for
> Ontario children with autism. Thank you again for expressing an interest in our policies. I look forward
> to an ongoing dialogue with you and other affected families to ensure that the needs of our autistic
> children are met.
>
> Yours truly,
>
>
> Dalton McGuinty
> Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party

Other Liberal candidates made the same promise. Michael Bryant (St. Paul's) and now Attorney General, Wayne Arthurs (Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge), Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence) and now Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Kevin Flynn (Oakville) are all on the record supporting this.

So when they come looking for your vote at the next election, tell them that you’ll vote for them. And then after the votes are counted, ask them how much they like being lied to.