Thank you again to everyone who has signed and shared this petition advocating for better support for children with special needs in New Brunswick. Your voices matter, and the growing number of signatures shows just how important this issue is for families across our province.

I recently received a response from the Minister of Social Development regarding the concerns raised in this petition. In the message, Cindy acknowledged that supports for children with disabilities exist and emphasized that different government departments work together to support children and families. The response also noted that services within schools fall under the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

While I appreciate the acknowledgement of the issue, the response did not address the core concern many families have shared: that current funding levels and access to services are not meeting the needs of children and families in New Brunswick. 

Many parents continue to report long waitlists, limited access to meaningful supports, and difficult decisions about whether they must relocate to another province in order for their children to receive adequate services. Families should not have to leave their homes, jobs, and communities to ensure their child gets the support they need to thrive.

Families are not asking whether programs exist or which department is responsible... they are saying that the current system is not sufficient, accessible, nor adequately funded to meet the real needs of families. 

Your support is helping bring visibility to this issue, and it sends a message that families across New Brunswick deserve better.

What you can do to help:

• Continue sharing this petition so more people can add their voices.
• Reach out to your local MLA to let them know why this issue matters to you.
• If you are a parent or caregiver affected by these challenges, consider sharing your story in the comments. Personal experiences help illustrate the real impact of these gaps in support.

With 183 signatures so far, we’re getting close to 200 voices calling for change. Please consider sharing this petition so we can keep building momentum. Together, we can continue advocating for a system where children with diverse needs, and their families, receive the support they deserve without having to leave the province to find it. 

Thank you for standing with New Brunswick families.