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.