T K S 🌻🇨🇦

A Message to the Community: Before you dedicate your precious vote to Pierre Poilievre simply because he has a non-verbal daughter, please, hear me out. You're busy. I get it. Let me help you with the homework. Because going to the polls as a well-informed voter matters more than ever. As President of the Ontario Autism Coalition, I've spoken to countless politicians across party lines, including Conservatives with kids on the spectrum. And do you know what I often hear from the Conservatives? "I paid for therapy and support, so should you." Let that sink in. So let’s talk about Pierre, not as a dad, but as a policymaker. He’s a devoted follower of American economist Milton Friedman. In fact, Poilievre has cited Friedman dozens of times in Parliament over the last 20 years. His hero’s book, 'Capitalism and Freedom', is basically Pierre’s blueprint for Canada. What’s in that book? The belief that we should privatize public services and eliminate social supports - including minimum wage, rent control, public education, pensions, childcare, drug plans, and yes, the very supports families in the disability community rely on. Let’s look at his circumstances. He’s a career politician. He lives in a mansion, paid for by us. He has staff, paid for by us. He has a generous salary, perks, and benefits. He can afford what most of us can’t - the support and services our families need. But I talk to families every day who are hanging on by a thread. They can't afford the services/support they require and are sacrificing everything trying. Families are remortgaging their homes, going into deep debt, or are struggling with zero support, some turning to CAS out of desperation. Poilievre isn’t walking in our shoes. His life does not reflect ours. And I would argue: he does not understand what our families are going through. And it also doesn’t sit right with me that he’s only just now invoked his daughter’s disability, after losing a 25-point lead in the polls. That timing? It's giving exploitation. But that’s just my gut. And speaking of choices: the Conservative Party didn't even send a representative, not even a statement, to the CNIB Federal Election Disability Debate on April 8, 2025. The other parties did show up. The Conservatives didn’t think it was worth their time. Message received. I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. That’s your right, your power. But I am here to share what I’ve learned, so we don’t make decisions based on PR stunts or token references. Be careful. Don’t get tricked. Do your research. Look up Pierre’s parliamentary voting record; it’s public. Listen to credible sources, not rage-baiting memes/sites. Make a plan to vote. Know who your local candidates are before you head out the door. (We vote for parties in Canada, not leaders.) You deserve leadership that fights for our families, not one that would leave us behind. (PS - if you're angry about the state of autism services in Ontario, special education, respite, or the Ontario Autism Program, make sure that anger is aimed in the right direction. Those are provincial responsibilities. That's Doug Ford's government. That's the Ontario Conservative Party, not the federal government. Don’t let federal politicians off the hook for their own records, but let’s not confuse jurisdictions. Know who’s actually making the cuts that are hurting our kids right now.) Read everything you can. Elbows up.

Please see @OntAutism’s official statement for World Autism Awareness Month: #50KIsNotOk #onpoli #onted #AutismIsLifelong #onlab

The @OntAutism is proud to co-host the 2025 Federal Candidate Debate on Disability Issues: April 8th at 7:30 PM with @dmrider of the @TorontoStar moderating. Register here: eventbrite.ca/e/2025-federal…

Congratulations to Minister @MichaelParsa for remaining in his role at the helm of the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services. There’s a lot of work to do - and the @OntAutism is here with community level information to help get the job done. See you soon Minister! #onpoli

This evening I watched the Ontario Party Leaders debate. I would like to know exactly what Doug Ford meant when he said he’s in this for families - because he’s had 7 yrs to “get it done” yet: I have dozens of families of children with complex special needs reaching out to me weekly because they’re in crisis - they cannot find services, support There are over 50,000 autistic children/youth waitlisted for life-changing core services alone A child in direct/indirect contact with CAS dies every 3 days bc CAS is trying desperately to fill gaps in critical services created by the province 6% of students with special needs aren’t attending school at all because of a lack of resources School exclusions are skyrocketing for kids accessing special education support as school boards are cutting accommodations due to budgets not meeting need Ontario Disability Support is WAY below the poverty line Families are being ripped apart and lives are being lost My heart is so heavy. Ontario - we need you. Don’t repeat what’s happening in the US. Please, don’t look away. #onted #onpoli #DontLookAwayOntario #OntarioElection #onlab #50KIsNotOK #AutismIsLifelong