Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more crushing for parents than to receive the diagnosis that their child has autism and there is no cure.
Autism is becoming one of the greatest threats to Canadian children today. In fact, it is now agreed that autism affects at least one in 300 children across Canada, but there is hope for these children. Early intensive treatment is remarkably effective at improving the lives of children with autism. This treatment can take children away from the path of institutionalization and reintegrate them with families and into school. It is a miracle, but it needs our help.
In Calgary, the Society for Treatment of Autism needs desperately to expand. This is a society that is a North American leader in the treatment of autism and it needs the support of all levels of government to end waiting lists and provide treatment and research.
I call on the government and the Minister of Health to join me in supporting this expansion. It is what the children with autism and their families deserve.