Ontario Investing in Autism Services to Better Serve Children and Families in Peterborough
June 25, 2025
Funding will help more children access clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program
Peterborough— The Ontario government is investing more than $37 million over the next two years in 100 public and private autism service providers across the province. This significant investment aims to help more children and families access critical clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Locally, Canopy Support Services and Five Counties Children’s Centre in Peterborough are among the organizations receiving this vital funding.
“This is fantastic news for Peterborough families,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “Our government’s sustained investment in organizations like Canopy Support Services and Five Counties Children’s Centre underscores our commitment to ensuring children with autism receive the vital support they need, right here in their own community. By strengthening these local providers, we’re building a more stable, skilled workforce and ensuring more families can access life-changing services closer to home.” Added MPP Smith.
Service providers are receiving funding through the Ontario Autism Program’s workforce capacity fund. This fund provides two-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 in value to help providers to hire new staff, increase staff hours, train employees, invest in technology, and reach rural and remote communities.
Canopy Support Services will receive $399,921 in funding, to be distributed over a two-year period. This significant financial commitment will enable Canopy Support Services to continue delivering and expanding its vital programs and support for individuals and families in the community.
“We are pleased to receive this funding for the next two years to support the integration of mental health care within autism service delivery,” said Himanshu Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Canopy Support Services. “Allowing us to enhance our overall capacity to deliver core clinical services across the communities we serve.” Added Shah.
Five-Counties Children’s Centre will be receiving $400,000 over the next two years. This crucial funding will directly support their essential services and enable the enhancement of their therapy programs, ensuring continued, impactful care for children and youth in the region.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Ontario government for this funding, which will help us better serve and enhance supports for children and families enrolled in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP),” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “This two-year funding commitment provides us the seed money to staff and
develop sustainable services for children enrolled in the OAP. This will help us fill a need in our communities for families enrolled in the OAP, allowing them to use their funding to access services in a timelier fashion.”
“Protecting Ontario starts by safeguarding the province’s most vulnerable and ensuring that all children are provided with opportunities to achieve lifelong success,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Autism service providers do an incredible job of helping children and youth reach their full potential. Our government is proud to work with them to make it easier for more families to access timely, local supports tailored to their needs.”
Funding for local service providers through the workforce capacity fund is part of the province’s total investment in the Ontario Autism Program. Since 2019, Ontario has more than doubled the program’s annual budget, bringing it to a total of $779 million with the addition of a $175 million investment through Budget 2025. This new investment will continue to support the enrolment of children and youth in core clinical services.
The workforce capacity fund is one initiative under the OAP capacity action plan. The province prioritizes applications that support families and service providers in northern, rural and remote communities, as well as francophone and Indigenous families recognizing the unique challenges these groups face.
The workforce capacity fund is one initiative under the OAP capacity action plan. The province prioritizes applications that support families and service providers in northern, rural and remote communities, as well as francophone and Indigenous families recognizing the unique challenges these groups face.
QUICK FACTS
- Since the workforce capacity fund was created in 2021, Ontario has awarded more than 350 grants in total to autism service providers across the province.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Dave Smith Action Centre
David.smith@pc.ola.org
705-742-3777