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Tony Martin goes to bat for autistic children

Sault MP Tony Martin attended what he described as an all-party news conference in Ottawa today intended to show federal-level support for families of autistic children.
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Sault MP Tony Martin attended what he described as an all-party news conference in Ottawa today intended to show federal-level support for families of autistic children.

Waving a petition signed by 40 Sault-area families, Martin said he supported the drive to have autism services covered under the Canada Health Act.

"I remember this issue from my days as a provincial member, and it is indeed tragic that neither senior level of government has found a way to deal with it except to fight these parents in court," Martin said.

"My provincial colleague Shelly Martel suggested more than a year ago that autistic intervention ... be funded through OHIP and I agree."

Martin said that he'll table the petition in Parliament later this week.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously that a Government of British Columbia decision to withhold funding for autism treatment was not discriminatory because the therapy is still under development.


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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