MCFD minister must make public plans to slash services to people with disabilities
BCGEU
Mar 6 '08

Moratorium on program cuts and closures needed says BCGEU

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) today called on the Minister of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Tom Christensen, to release the plans being implemented by his ministry to close community living resources for both children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The union is also calling for a moratorium on any budget cuts or program closures to community living programs until there is a full review of the minister’s plans.

“This week Community Living BC (CLBC) ordered the closure of Corner House, a unique respite care resource for children in Victoria as a result of budgetary problems,” said Heyman. “Only yesterday the minister told the legislature that the government will continue to support CLBC with additional funding to ensure that more children and adults are served.”

“If the Minister is correct, where is this new funding? When will it be announced?” Heyman asked….

 “The Liberals promised an end to this kind of restructuring of child and family services. They offered in opposition to increase funding to ensure no kids fell through the cracks in the system. Why are they ignoring their own promises?” Heyman asked.

“The restructuring of Community Living services makes no sense when the sector is experiencing such severe recruitment problems that many employers can’t find qualified workers in this sector. Parents are being told they will be able to access more services by recruiting their own caregivers. The reality is that the worker shortages leaves parents scrambling for non-existent or inexperienced and untrained care providers,” said Heyman….