Liberal MLA’s autism strategy bill gains all-party backing

Manitoba could soon have an autism strategy for the first time, thanks to a private member’s bill that’s garnered rare all-party support in the legislature.

Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux’s Bill 232, the Autism Strategy Act introduced in March, would require the government to establish a policy designed to improve the screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and support research.

It would identify ongoing supports and services needed by people with autism and their families and caregivers. It calls for annual reports tracking the implementation of the measures identified in the strategy, with a mandatory review and updates of the legislation every five years.

The bill goes before the legislature’s standing committee on social and economic development committee Friday. As of Wednesday, 87 private citizens and organizations registered to weigh in on the proposed legislation.

“The legislation is just causing a lot of buzz and excitement, and I think that’s a wonderful thing,” said Lamoureux, Manitoba’s lone Liberal in the legislature.

“We want to see all parties get on board and support these services for families and those who are autistic,” she said.

On Wednesday, they all got on board.

The NDP government announced $5 million to strengthen children’s autism services delivered by St. Amant in Winnipeg, as part of $30 million in autism-specific supports in the 2026 budget.

The Progressive Conservatives introduced an opposition day motion calling for the province “to immediately provide supports and equitable access to programming for all Manitoba children who live with autism and to immediately develop a funded plan with clear timelines to bring autism services to all Manitobans in both rural and urban settings.”

The majority NDP government voted against the motion, with the PCs calling for a recorded vote to identify how MLAs voted.

“We heard from many constituents across Manitoba that this is a real concern for families and children with autism — that there’s not enough services available and that they’re waiting long periods of time for services, and the wait lists are long and they can’t get to services where they are located,” PC families critic Carrie Hiebert told reporters. The MLA for Morden-Winkler who introduced the motion said she supports Lamoureux’s private members bill because the need for autism supports are so great across the province.

Lamoureux said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine has indicated in the chamber that the government will support passage of the Autism Strategy Act before the session ends Nov. 5.

Autism Canada says the neurodevelopmental disorder results in communication problems, difficulties in social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour. People with autism may also have a limited range of activities and interests. The disorder is often accompanied by other medical conditions such as epilepsy, sleep problems, gastrointestinal abnormalities and mental-health issues such as anxiety and depression.

carol.sanders@winnipegfreepress.com