Mr. Speaker, all children are special. All children have special needs. The only differences between children are that the special needs of some children are more evident and obvious than others.
Such is the case for the Rodrigues and Zaffino families in my constituency, and for thousands of other families in B.C. and across Canada. They are families with very special children, children who are autistic.
There is hope for these families. There is a treatment known as Lovaas therapy which, for 30 years, has clinically proven dramatic success rates in 47% of children who receive the therapy, and measurable improvement rates of close to 100% of all autistic children.
However, the agonizing reality is that the Supreme Court of Canada has agreed with the Government of B.C. and the federal Liberal government stating that governments should not have to help families pay for the expensive cost of this remarkable therapy.
Courts and governments can be technically right on an issue from a legal point of view but tragically wrong from a human point of view.
I am asking all MPs from all parties to join in efforts to find solutions for the Canadian families of autistic children. They are truly special children.