Ontario Special Education Funding Under Scrutiny After Student Disappearance

Parents and advocates across Ontario are demanding increased funding and staffing for special education following the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl with autism from her school. The incident has brought to light systemic challenges, including modified school schedules and insufficient support for students with special needs.

The Disappearance of Amelia Bissaillion

On Monday, Chantelle Bissaillion experienced a terrifying two hours when her nine-year-old daughter, Amelia, went missing during recess. Amelia, who has autism, ADHD, and anxiety, was last seen heading to recess but did not return to class. A large-scale search involving police, drones, and a helicopter was immediately launched.

Fortunately, Amelia was found safe near her home by a neighbor. However, Bissaillion expressed her distress, stating, “The relief I felt in that moment is something I can’t fully put into words, but relief does not erase what happened, because the truth is, this should have never happened in the first place,” at a press conference organized by the Ontario Autism Coalition.

Systemic Issues and Funding Concerns

Advocates are now urging the province to increase staffing and funding for special education. They argue that the current system lacks the necessary in-class supports to ensure the safety and full inclusion of children with special needs. A survey by the Ontario Autism Coalition revealed widespread parental concerns regarding their children’s safety at school.

Modified Schedules and Exclusion

Many parents reported their children were placed on ‘modified schedules,’ attending school for fewer hours than their peers. Others indicated their children lacked appropriate support and were excluded from school activities. Bissaillion emphasized that the issue is not isolated to her daughter’s school in eastern Ontario.

“This is not just a safety issue, it is a system-wide failure,” she said. “Teachers are doing everything they can with what they’ve been given. There are not enough educational assistants or support staff, not enough resources for children with complex needs. We need proactive safety measures, proper staffing levels, and meaningful investment in special education.”

Government Response and Criticisms

Education Minister Paul Calandra has defended the Progressive Conservative government’s record, asserting that special education funding has increased since 2018. However, Kate Dudley-Logue, vice-president of the Ontario Autism Coalition, countered that current funding levels remain inadequate.

“Families, education workers, and accessibility experts are delivering a consistent message: current provincial policy and funding levels are not sufficient to provide safe, stable, and rights-based education to students with special education needs,” Dudley-Logue stated. She also called for improved tracking of exclusions, such as early dismissals due to behavioral support shortages.

Families Share Their Struggles

Shannon McNally shared her experience with her seven-year-old son, Owen, who has autism and other complex needs. Owen’s school reduced his school day to two hours in February due to a lack of support. McNally recounted the difficulties in securing adequate support, requiring a costly private assessment and extensive advocacy.

“Two hours a day is not an education,” McNally said. She ultimately had to quit her job to accommodate Owen’s reduced schedule. Owen is also currently on a waiting list for publicly funded autism therapy, with a wait time estimated to be around five years.

Call for Action from Opposition

NDP education critic Chandra Pasma criticized the government’s handling of the situation. She urged Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Paul Calandra to meet with affected families.

“They deserve to be safe at school, to be supported and included, and so to Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Paul Calandra, I just want to say: meet with these families personally, sit down with them, interact with them, hear their stories, and then do the right thing and properly fund special education,” Pasma said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 29, 2026