The conversation has shifted. At #CALS2026, the question was no longer what needs to change, but who is prepared to act.

At a pivotal moment for autism policy in Canada, Autism Alliance of Canada convened government leaders, researchers, service providers, and Autistic people and their families to move beyond dialogue into coordinated systems change. Evidence, relationships, and accountability are aligning in ways so that strategy can turn into action.

This was our largest and most diverse Summit to date, reflecting both urgency and readiness across the country. From diagnosis to service access to economic inclusion, there was strong alignment that incremental change will not deliver outcomes. Systems must be redesigned in partnership with Autistic people and their families. At the same time, the conversations surfaced real tensions. These included how language is used across systems, how terms are interpreted and applied in practice, and how different models of care are experienced by Autistic people and their families. There were also clear concerns about gaps in implementation, where policy intent does not always translate into real world impact, and about ensuring that emerging areas such as artificial intelligence are developed and applied responsibly.

These are not signs of division, but of a field working through complexity in pursuit of better outcomes. With voices from across the political spectrum, one point of alignment was clear: S-203 has cross-party support. What is needed now is delivery.

It is about bringing people together across roles and perspectives, aligning priorities, and moving forward with clarity and accountability. This is the role we are committed to holding. We create the space where government, research, service providers, and Autistic people and families can work through complexity and move toward coordinated action.

Over the years, Autism Alliance of Canada has worked with successive governments and all federal parties to move the agenda forward. Our approach has been consistent. It is non-partisan, evidence-driven, and grounded in the experiences of autistic people and their families.

This year, the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition, joined us to share his perspective on how Canada can move autism policy forward and ensure that S-203 delivers real, measurable impact. Supporting the rights, inclusion, and full participation of Autistic people and their families must be treated as a national priority, not a partisan issue. Progress depends on practical, implementable solutions. This is where we play a critical role. We advance actionable, evidence-informed recommendations that help set a clear benchmark for the country.

The next phase requires implementation, sustained investment, and measurable progress. The path forward will not always be easy – we won’t sugarcoat the challenges. It will require navigating jurisdictional approaches, making decisions on priorities, and staying focused on outcomes that matter to Autistic people and their families.

Autism Alliance of Canada will continue to lead the national autism policy agenda and bring our members and partners together to move it forward. We will convene, align, and support decision-makers. We will advance evidence and practical solutions. We will help ensure that this momentum translates into meaningful change for Autistic people and their families across Canada.

See you at #CALS2027.