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TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford suspended a member of his caucus Wednesday for comments made as parents of children with autism packed the legislature’s galleries, angry about funding changes they say are woefully inadequate.

Nevertheless, Ford suspended Hillier indefinitely from the Tory caucus, saying his comments were disrespectful to parents of children with autism.

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“Mr. Hillier’s comments crossed the line and that is unacceptable,” the premier said.

Hillier, for his part, said he was sorry if the comments meant for the NDP had upset the families.

“I apologize to the parents present who may have felt that my comments were directed at them,” he said. “They were not, and never would be.”

Children, Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod announced autism funding changes this month that would see families get up to $20,000 per year for treatment for children under six and $5,000 a year for children six to 18, up to a lifetime maximum of $140,000.