The Ontario government is investing more than $37 million over the next two years to strengthen autism services across the province, including significant funding for two Peterborough-based organizations: Canopy Support Services and Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The funding, announced through the Ontario Autism Program’s workforce capacity fund, is aimed at helping more children and families access critical clinical services by supporting service provider expansion and sustainability.
Canopy Support Services will receive $399,921 over two years. CEO Himanshu Shah says the investment will support integration of mental health care within autism service delivery and allow for increased capacity across the communities the organization serves.
Five Counties Children’s Centre is receiving the full $400,000 allocation to enhance therapy programs and improve access to core clinical services for children and youth.
“We’re extremely grateful for this funding,” said Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties. “It will allow families to use their OAP funding more effectively and get timely support.”
Peterborough–Kawartha MPP Dave Smith welcomed the news, saying the investments reflect the province’s commitment to local families. “By strengthening these providers, we’re building a more stable, skilled workforce and ensuring more families can access life-changing services closer to home,” he said.
The OAP workforce capacity fund provides grants between $50,000 and $400,000 for organizations to hire and train staff, extend service hours, invest in technology, and expand into rural or remote areas.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa said the funding will help more families access “timely, local supports tailored to their needs.”
Since 2019, Ontario has more than doubled the OAP’s annual budget to $779 million, with the latest $175 million investment included in Budget 2025. The workforce fund prioritizes support for northern, rural, francophone, and Indigenous communities.
