MPs from All Parties to Show Support for Families of Autistic Children
November 22, 2004OTTAWA – Tomorrow, November 22, 2004, Scott Reid, Conservative MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington will table petitions relating to treatments for children with autism.
Mr. Reid became aware of the problems facing the autistic community last spring, when Andrew Kavchak, a concerned father who has been protesting on Parliament Hill on almost a daily basis since March, 2004 asked for his assistance.
Andrew Kavchak has a three year old son, Steven Kavchak, who was diagnosed with autism on December 8, 2003 at CHEO. Although Mr. Kavchak’s family immediately applied to Ontario’s Preschool Autism Program for the medically necessary autism treatment, he was placed on a waiting list and is still waiting. His family began a private treatment program for their son in January 2004 which costs approximately $50,000 a year.
There will be a short press conference held at 9:45 in the House of Commons Lobby before the petitions are tabled at 10:00 am.
NDP MP Tony Martin will join Mr. Reid in support of families of autistic children. Liberal MP Massimo Pacetti along with several other MPs from all parties are expected to table the same petitions later this week.
For more information or to speak with Mr. Reid
Please call (613) 257-8130 or (613) 947-2277.
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