PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Sudbury, Ontario, November 22, 2025 – In collaboration with Autism Ontario and Collège Boréal, Autism Alliance of Canada brought together some of its members and the Francophone autism community today to discuss and identify unique priorities to the Northern Ontario region. The topics discussed focused on access to a range of services, including inclusion, employability, financial independence, and alignment between clinical and pedagogical practices, among others. The event took place at Collège Boréal in a “Café du monde” conversational format.
This Town Hall also offered an opportunity to connect and exchange with the autistic community, caregivers and professionals, discover diverse perspectives and individual experiences, strengthen the collective voices of Francophone autistic people, and establish a common ground to unite Francophone members of the autistic community in Northern Ontario.
“It is essential to include the collective voices when discussing the acceptance and inclusion of autistic people in Canada. Our team is proud to organize Francophone meetings to network and connect in French, discover and share new knowledge, suggest resources and strategies, and above all, strengthen community and organizational capacity to serve Francophone communities,” explains Dr. Jonathan Lai, Executive Director, Autism Alliance of Canada.
“Our organization is proud to contribute to amplifying the collective voices of Francophone autistic individuals and to bring together people from across Canada at our Town Halls, which will be held at various times over the coming year. Their proactive participation and valuable collaboration are essential to facilitating friendly discussions and exchanges about Canada’s Autism Strategy. We are very fortunate to be collaborating with people who are so committed to the community,” said Krista Leitham, Membership Engagement Coordinator, Autism Alliance of Canada.
“Autism Ontario is proud to have participated in the in-person Francophone meeting organized by Autism Alliance of Canada. It is important for us to be present at these valuable exchanges in order to share and discuss the needs of Francophone autistic individuals and their families in Northern Ontario”, adds Mélanie Thibeault, Supervisor – French Language Service, Autism Ontario.
“We are pleased to have welcomed the francophone Town Hall organized by Autism Alliance of Canada in our facility. This Town Hall reminded us that awareness must lead to action, because it’s not if we meet autistic people, but when. And when that moment comes, our systems, our workplaces, and our communities must be ready to welcome them with dignity, clarity, and real support”, Daphné Traoré-King, Inclusion Support Officer, Collège Boréal.
The Francophone Town Halls are held in various Canadian provinces from September 2025 to summer 2026. In addition to encouraging exchange and connection among Francophone autistic people, these Town Halls are the ideal opportunity to discuss proactive and inclusive diagnosis, economic inclusion, research with and for the autistic community, awareness and acceptance of autistic people in society, and optimization of the tools and resources offered by the Canadian government.
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About Autism Alliance of Canada :
Autism Alliance of Canada is a pan-Canadian network with a broad and diverse membership of Autistic people and their families and support persons, as well as clinicians, researchers, policy influencers, service providers and organizations from across Canada.
We work together as a shared leadership movement to champion a National Autism Strategy that ensures Autistic people have equal rights and opportunities for full participation and acceptance in Canadian society. We harness the power of collective impact as an inclusive organization whose members, board of directors and staff reflect our commitment to Autistic participation in all aspects of our work.
Source :
Autism Alliance of Canada :
Inquiries : Catherine Légaré, Communications and Marketing Manager
Contact details : clegare@autismalliance.ca