Ottawa's Camp Kaleidoscope Faces Funding Cuts Amid Canada Summer Jobs Program Changes
Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program impacting Ottawa camp for kids with autism
Image: Ctv News
Camp Kaleidoscope in Ottawa, which supports children with autism, is facing significant funding cuts due to changes in the Canada Summer Jobs program. The camp, run by Children at Risk, will receive only 10 jobs for 2026, down from 67 requested, impacting its ability to provide essential services to families.
- 01Camp Kaleidoscope has provided tailored support for children with autism in Ottawa since 2011.
- 02Funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program has been drastically reduced, with a 50% cut this year and a 75% cut from previous years.
- 03The camp's executive director, Brenda Reisch, expressed concerns over the government's shifting priorities away from supporting disabled individuals.
- 04Parents have emphasized the camp's importance as a critical part of their family's summer routine.
- 05Children at Risk is advocating for a reversal of the funding decision, highlighting the growing need for autism services in the community.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Camp Kaleidoscope, an annual summer camp in Ottawa for children with autism, is facing severe funding cuts due to recent changes in the Canada Summer Jobs program. Organized by the charity Children at Risk, the camp has provided a one-to-one counselor-to-camper ratio for over a decade, catering to the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum. However, this year, the camp received only 10 job positions from the federal program, a drastic reduction from the 67 positions applied for, following a 50% cut from the previous year and a 75% cut the year before that. Brenda Reisch, executive director of Children at Risk, expressed disappointment over the government's new focus on “priority” sectors, which excludes support for disabled individuals. Parents have voiced their concerns, stating that the camp is a vital part of their family's summer plans, with one mother describing it as an
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The funding cuts directly affect the availability of specialized support for children with autism in Ottawa, limiting the camp's capacity to serve families in need.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the funding cuts to Camp Kaleidoscope?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.