A Progressive Conservative MPP was quickly turfed from caucus amid accusations he heckled the parents of autistic children, in a sign of a deepening crisis for Premier Doug Fordâs government over the funding of therapy services for kids.Parents packed the public gallery in the legislature â some wiping away tears as they listened to MPPs debate the issue on Wednesday â and also spoke out about the changes they say will be devastating to their families.âUs parents are going into crisis,â said Stephanie Ridley of Burlington, the mother of a 7-year-old boy who will lose his weekly three days of therapy.âThe PCs have abandoned these kids ⌠When is this government going to step up and help 7-year-olds, 5-year-old kids that are trying to learn how to speak, to brush their hair, to put on their own pants?â said Ridley, visibly upset.âThe government has closed doors.âAfter the end of question period, as MPPs were exiting, New Democrat Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain) turned to Ford and called out âDoug, was this the vision?â Read more:Ontario autism program changes âbest for all children,â says social services ministerAutism controversy, confusion and what lies ahead for Ontario familiesLisa MacLeod apologizes for comments amid calls for resignation over autism controversyThen, amid some banter, PC MPP Randy Hillier yelled out âyada, yada, yadaâ â loud enough so that parents heard. Soon after, Ford issued a statement saying Hillier was suspended and his future âparticipation in caucusâ is up for discussion given his âdisrespectful comments to parents of children with autism.ââI want to listen to every parent, and every family member who wants to share their stories and their asks,â said Ford, who earlier said heâd personally taken a number of phone calls. âBut Mr. Hillierâs comments crossed the line and that is una ...
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