Autism Trek Update - Federal Health Minister Clement Passes the Autism Buck (but not the bucks) to the Provinces

The Belleville Intelligencer continued its excellent coverage of dedicated Autism Dad Stephan Marinoiu's winter Autism Trek to Ottawa reporting on his greeting in Ottawa by long time autism advocate Senator Jim Munson and his meeting with federal "Health" Minister Tony Clement. Mr. Marinoiu described the challenges faced in Ontario where ABA service did not become available for his son. Unfortunately, as reported by Mr Marinoiu and the Intelligencer, alleged Health Minister Clement merely passed the buck for autism services, but not the bucks, to the provinces.

High School political science students in this country are aware that the primary constitutional responsibility for health care rests with the provinces. But our history also shows that the provinces and the federal government have cooperated to provide a national health care system. There is nothing to stop the federal government from spending some of those surplus dollars taken from all Canadians to help provincial governments fund needed autism services across Canada. So that all Canadians with autism receive the services they need.

It is long past time that alleged "Health" Minister Clement put the Health back in his title and started acting like a Health Minister.

To put it politely Minister Clement - do your job or step aside please.

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MY DAD IS WALKING TO OTTAWA TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM! Facebook Group

Right now a dedicated Dad, Stephan Marinoiu, in a real display of courage is walking from Toronto to Ottawa to raise awareness for autism. His daughter Lia has started a Facebook Group called MY DAD IS WALKING TO OTTAWA TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8363327485

For those of you who are not from Canada, or have never visited that area of Ontario during the winter, what Stephan Marinoiu is doing takes real courage and dedication. Visit Lia's Facebook group to see pictures, read updates and show your support for Stephan Marinoiu's autism trek.

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Senator Jim Munson Supports Stephan Marinoiu Autism Trek

News Release

SENATOR JIM MUNSON SUPPORTS STEFAN MARINOIU IN HIS WALK FOR AUTISM

Thursday, February 7, 2008

OTTAWA, February 7, 2008 – The Honourable Jim Munson (Ottawa – Rideau Canal) extends his support to Stefan Marinoiu who has embarked on a mission to walk from Toronto to Ottawa to increase awareness about autism and the need for increased funding for its treatment. Mr. Marinoiu is the father of a son with autism. The Senator has contacted Mr. Marinoiu’s family and will continue to closely follow his progress.

On the morning of Thursday, January 31, 2008, Mr. Marinoiu left his Toronto home and started walking to Ottawa. His initiative was not carefully planned nor was it in any way publicized – it even caught his wife and older daughter by surprise. Rather, it was the result of the accumulation of frustrations and the feeling of desperation shared by many parents of autistic children. It has now been a week since Mr. Marinoiu’s departure and he has already arrived in Kingston.

Senator Munson wishes Mr. Marinoiu the best of luck with the rest of his journey and assures him that he will be there to welcome him upon his arrival in Ottawa.

Senator Munson launched the Senate Inquiry into the treatment of autism in Canada. This resulted in the publication of the report of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology entitled Pay Now or Pay Later. Follow this link to view the report:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/soci-e/rep-e/repfinmar07-e.htm

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For more information, please contact: The Honourable Jim Munson Senator (Ottawa – Rideau Canal) Tel: (613) 947-2504 or Lia Marinoiu (Daughter of Mr. Marinoiu) Scarborough ON (416)-412-7656

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