Ontario's social services minister says she's sorry if she made anyone feel threatened.
The apology comes after behaviour analysts said Lisa MacLeod warned them of consequences if they didn't support the province's new autism program.
MacLeod is resisting calls for her resignation, and her apology came late today after the premier was peppered with questions about the remark.
MacLeod writes on Twitter that she apologizes if her comments made anyone feel threatened or uncomfortable.
The Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis says MacLeod and her staff requested a quote of support a few days before the new program was announced.
They say they were told that failure to do so would result in ``four long years'' for the organization.
The association, parents and advocates say the revamped autism program will leave many children without the level of therapy they need.
Earlier in the day, Premier Doug Ford said he wouldn't be asking his social services minister to resign after an association of behaviour analysts said she pressured them to support changes to the province's autism program.
Ford had earlier stated he hasn't spoken with Lisa MacLeod about the allegations made by the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis.
The group says the minister told the association it would be a long four years for them if they did not publicly support the revamped autism program, which they say will leave many children without adequate levels of therapy.
MacLeod's office has not denied the group's allegations and has said its priority is supporting families of children and youth with autism
The head of province's largest public sector union, opposition politicians and parents of autistic children are calling on MacLeod to resign over the matter.
Ford praised MacLeod's work as minister and said revamping the autism support program is the most difficult file in government.
with files from Newstalk 1010