History of FASD Legislature in Ontario

For this week’s blog, we are going to focus on the history of the Ontario legislature as it relates to FASD. 2004 - MPP Ernie Parson introduces Bill 43, Sandy’s Law requiring establishments selling alcohol to post a warning about alcohol consumption during pregnancy. 2015 - Ontario FASD Provincial Roundtable Report started 2018 - Ontario establishes Sept 9 as official FASD Awareness Day, MCCSS funds FASD workers to work with children only, provincial website, caregiver support groups, diagnostic clinics and Indigenous Child Nutrition Program Bill 44 FASD Education Bill to amend Education Act introduced in the 41st Parliament 3rd Session - passed first reading with unanimous consent 2020 - Bill 172 FASD Education Bill to amend Education Act introduced in the 42nd Parliament 1st session - passed first reading with unanimous consent 2021 - Bill 69 FASD Education Bill to amend Education Act introduced in the 42nd Parliament 2nd session - passed first and second reading with unanimous consent and sent to Standing Committee on Social Policy. 13 school boards sent letters of support to the Minister of Education 2023 - Bill 108 FASD Education Bill to amend Education Act introduced in the 43rd Parliament 1st session - passed first reading with unanimous consent Ministry of Education consulted with MPP Jordan regarding a draft motion 2025 - ?? At this time, there are currently only four diagnostic clinics in the province for adult diagnosis, FASD is not recognized as an eligible disability for DSO/Passport funding, there are no training requirements for doctors, nurses, social workers, employment counselors or educators on FASD and according to Dr. Popova’s study in 2024, 99% of people living with FASD are currently undiagnosed and as result unable to access ODSP, DSO services, Canadian Disability Benefit or RDSP as all require a diagnosis. We are also pleased to be joined by the Adoption Council of Ontario and their Education Department as studies have shown it is more likely children in care will be living with FASD versus the general population. ACO’s mission is to: educate the community about adoption, connect families and children, support everyone touched by adoption and permanency journeys, and advocate for all those touched by adoption. We are pleased to help bring awareness to their new Online Learning Course on FASD called FASD Collection. To meet ACO Executive Director Karen Moore and Education Lead Kathy Soden as well as FASD Leaders Shannon Butt, Cassie More and Anne Moore, all of whom would like to share their stories with you on what it is like living with FASD in Ontario, please contact Jayne at opm@ruralfasd.ca to confirm your spot on Oct 23 in Rooms 228 and 230 between 10:30 and 12:30. We also thank MPP Jordan of the PC Party, MPP Clancy of the Green Party and MPP Fairclough of the Liberal Party for addressing our delegation and followers.