Lots of heated debate at Queens Park on Thursday when it comes to autism funding.

Previously, children with autism were accessing provincial funding for IBI, or Intensive Behavioral Intervention Therapy.

But recently the province said only children under 5 would have access to the treatment.

One of those children is North Bay’s Luka Tignanelli.

MPP Vic Fedeli says Luka was 3 when he started receiving treatment, but now he’s 5 he can’t access it.

Fedeli says the government has a responsibility to ensure individuals with autism can realize their full potential.

He says the government is trying to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.

Fedeli asked the government to reverse its decision.

The premier had the Minister of Children and Youth Services Tracy McCharles answer the question.

She says the waiting list for children to get treatment is too long and her job is to reduce that waiting list by getting younger children treatment sooner.

McCharles says they want to make sure the transition for children like Luka under the new program is a smooth one.