A seven-year-old boy in Hamilton died last month after being struck by a bus, and his father says the tragedy could have been avoided if the boy had been able to attend school full-time. The lack of available educational assistants (EAs) meant Max Simao, who had autism and was non-verbal, was only able to attend school for half days in the weeks leading up to the December 11th incident.
A Preventable Tragedy
Chris Simao explained that his son and his mother were on their way home from school when Max slipped and was run over by a Hamilton Street Railway bus. “Max should have been in school that day,” Simao stated during a news conference at Queen’s Park on Wednesday. He emphasized that the reduced school schedule was initially presented as temporary, “just for a few weeks,” but stretched to a month and a half with no clear timeline for a return to full-day attendance.
Simao clarified that he does not blame the bus driver or the school, but rather the insufficient funding allocated by the Ministry of Education for supports for students with special needs. He believes his son’s case is not isolated, stating, “We’ve come to learn that exclusions like this are very common under funding that tends to affect students of special needs the most.”
Systemic Issues Highlighted
Kate Dudley-Logue of the Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) echoed Simao’s concerns, asserting that Max’s situation is part of a “province-wide pattern” of excluding students with disabilities due to a lack of resources. According to a recent OAC survey, a quarter of students with special education needs in Ontario are not attending school for full days. The survey also revealed that approximately one-third of students with disabilities experienced some form of exclusion during the 2024-2025 school year, with six percent not attending school at all.
Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the issue, stating that his government has increased funding for school resources to $700 million, up from $200 million, and is actively hiring 6,000 more educators. He also mentioned plans to expedite teacher training. However, Chris Simao responded sharply, stating, “My son’s dead so they’re not doing enough and they’ve had 8 years.”
What Happens Next?
The pressure on the provincial government to address funding gaps for special education is likely to intensify. Opposition leaders, such as Marit Stiles of the NDP, are calling for increased investment. It is possible the government could announce further funding allocations or policy changes in the coming months. However, implementing these changes and ensuring they translate into tangible support for students could take time. Further scrutiny of the current funding model and its impact on students with special needs is also anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Max Simao’s death?
Max Simao died after being struck by a Hamilton Street Railway bus on December 11th. He slipped while walking home from school with his mother.
Why was Max only attending school for half days?
Max was only attending school for half days because an educational assistant (EA) was not available to support him for a full-day schedule.
What is the Ontario Autism Coalition saying about this case?
The Ontario Autism Coalition states that Max’s situation is not unique and that many students with special needs in Ontario face exclusions or reduced school schedules due to a lack of resources.
How can communities ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, have access to safe and supportive learning environments?
