Protest in Sudbury Against Ford Government’s Funding Cuts

Protesters lined both sides of Kelly Lake Road in Sudbury near the restaurant where Ontario Premier Doug Ford was holding a $600 a plate fundraising dinner on October 3. Parents and families of children with autism demanded a reversal of the Ford government’s changes to the Ontario Autism Program. They were joined by members of several unions, including CUPE, OPSEU and UFCW, as well as other members of the community. They called for an end to the Ford government’s cuts to education and its attacks on public-sector workers. Education workers who had been on a work-to-rule demanding a negotiated settlement were among those attending.

“The focus of our protest is the announcement that Child and Community Resources (CCR) made [September 17] that they will no longer be able to offer fee-for-service [autism services] for our kids,” said Sara Kitlar-Pothier, an organizer of the event stated, speaking to the Sudbury Star. “Child and Community Resources, they are the main service provider.” CCR offered services to families across the Sudbury, Manitoulin, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Rainy River districts, the autism alliance said, noting that the more northerly communities will be more seriously impacted.

(Photos: RU)

This article was published in:

Renewal Update No. 31, October 11, 2019

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Protest in Sudbury Against Ford Government’s Funding Cuts