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Bill S-203

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023
STATUTES OF CANADA 2023

CHAPTER 2
An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder
ASSENTED TO
March 30, 2023

BILL S-203


SUMMARY

This enactment provides for the development of a federal framework designed to support autistic Canadians, their families and their caregivers.

Available on the Senate of Canada website at the following address:
www.sencanada.ca/en


70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III

CHAPTER 2

An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder
[Assented to 30th March, 2023]

Preamble

Whereas autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that includes impairments in language, communication skills and social interactions, combined with restricted and repetitive behaviours, interests or activities;

Whereas Parliament recognizes that there is a need for autistic persons and their families to receive direct, timely and ongoing access to financial support, treatment and services;

Whereas there is no coordinated national strategy that would expand the scope of support to ensure consistency and long-term solutions, especially for persons over the age of 18 years;

Whereas autistic Canadians, their families and their caregivers would benefit from the development and implementation of a federal framework that provides for best practices, research, education, awareness, treatment, equal access to medical and financial supports, and assistance with employment and housing challenges;

And whereas the development of that federal framework would benefit from the involvement of autistic Canadians, their families and their caregivers;

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act.

Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Federal framework

2 (1) The Minister of Health must develop a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder.

Measures to be provided

(2) The framework must identify measures to provide

  • (a) timely and equitable access to screening and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder;

  • (b) financial support for autistic persons and their families, including the establishment or expansion of tax benefits as required;

  • (c) support for caregivers of autistic persons;

  • (d) a national research network to promote research and improve data collection on autism spectrum disorder;

  • (e) national campaigns to enhance public knowledge, understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder while accounting for intersectionality, in order to foster inclusivity;

  • (f) sustained, accessible and culturally relevant resources, available online and elsewhere, on best available evidencebased information to support autistic persons, their families and caregivers, including information on effective treatments and ineffective or harmful treatments;

  • (g) mechanisms to ensure accountability in the use of federal funds for autistic persons and their families; and

  • (h) anything else that the Minister considers appropriate in relation to autism spectrum disorder.

Consultations

(3) For the purpose of developing the federal framework, the Minister must consult with

  • (a) the Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Revenue, the Minister of Employment and Social Development and any other ministers with relevant responsibilities;

  • (b) representatives of the provincial governments, including those responsible for health;

  • (c) relevant stakeholders, including self-advocates, persons with lived experience — including caregivers and support persons — service providers, and representatives from the medical and research communities and from organizations that focus on autism spectrum disorder in Indigenous communities; and

  • (d) anyone else that the Minister considers appropriate.

Conference

(4) The Minister must, no later than 12 months after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, hold at least one conference with the persons referred to in subsection (3) for the purpose of developing the federal framework.

Reports to Parliament

Tabling of federal framework

3 (1) Within 18 months after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, the Minister of Health must cause to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament a report setting out the federal framework on autism spectrum disorder developed under section 2.

Publication

(2) The Minister must publish the report on the website of the Department of Health within 10 days after the day on which the report is tabled in Parliament.

Report

4 (1) Within five years after the day on which the report referred to in section 3 is tabled in Parliament, the Minister of Health must cause to be tabled in each House of Parliament a report that sets out

  • (a) the measures from the federal framework that have been implemented and their effectiveness in supporting autistic persons, their families and their caregivers; and

  • (b) with respect to any measure included in the federal framework that was not implemented, the reason it has not been implemented and the timeline for its implementation.

Published under authority of the Senate of Canada

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