A Windsor mom with an autistic son is accusing Ontario PC Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod of manipulating a quote of support used at Queen's Park Monday.
With no one from MacLeod's office responding to Sherri Taylor's calls and emails, Windsor-West MPP Lisa Gretzky came to the mother of four's aide during Tuesday's question period.
"This behavior is completely unacceptable for anyone, let alone a minister of this legislature. Will the honourable minister finally actually do something honourable and resign," says the New Democrat.
McLeod had read a quote from Taylor stating, "families are in crisis. Our government is heading in the right direction recognizing that early intervention is key" on Monday.
Taylor tells AM800 News she was excited to have her voice heard when she met the minister in Windsor back in January. It was then she says the minister asked her to write an opinion piece on the challenges of paying for treatment for four boys, who also have sensory problems of their own.
The Family Care Coordinator at the Back to Life Rehabilitation Centre had several email exchanges with the minister where she was asked to write a statement of support in good faith with a promise that changes would benefit those seeking treatments.
"That's a wrap once she got the quote how she wanted it, she asked me for my op-ed piece, I sent that in as well two days later. On Feb. 6, when the announcement was made I was absolutely floored," she says. "Not only was there not any more choice for us as parents for therapy, they were basically making it worse."
When Taylor became aware the minister's promises were not kept, suddenly she couldn't reach anyone for a response.
Then on Monday, the minister used her statement of support without mention that it was given before the minister failed to address early intervention and a direct funding model that would allow families to access various therapies, including unfunded speech language and occupational therapies.
"First and foremost I would love an actual apology where she admits what she did was wrong, that she did manipulate, that she knowingly used a quote that was written before the announcement was made to serve her own purposes," added Taylor.
Taylor spent more than $60,000 over the past three years on therapy that transformed her son into someone who can function out in the world and will eventually allow him to live independently as an adult — treatment she's fighting to get covered so other parents can reap the benefits.
She tells AM800 News the minister, "messed with the wrong mom."
"I will not back down in this fight, I will continue to ask for her resignation or for Premier Ford to do the right thing, which would be a move of integrity by having her step down and to come back to the table and come up with a plan that works for everybody, not just a small percentage."
The minster told the legislature, "if I used that quote yesterday incorrectly, I unequivocally apologize."
Taylor says there was no "if" about it; the minister intentionally used the quote out of context.
MacLeod didn't address media following question period.