BC's Children’s Representative says she's concerned over a memo that was distributed to workers in the Ministry of Children and Families this week
CFAX 1070's Public Eye Radio - Victoria
Dec 7, 2008

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says the memo, sent by deputy minister Lesley du Toit, announced the ministry will be looking at "fiscal restraint measures" in the coming weeks.

But she says no one she has talked to seems to know exactly what those measures might include.

“it would appear from the response i got, that no one’s really quite sure what it means. But of course, it causes some concern to me because if there is an announcement of some type of a cut or a change in programming, it’s very important to me as the oversight body that we make sure that vulnerable children and youth in British Columbia are supported.”

While the memo says it may be necessary to revisit the timeframes for some initiatives, it also says the ministry remains dedicated to "improving circumstances for vulnerable children, youth and their families."

Turpel-Lafond says any "across the board cuts" would be harmful, leading to uneven service levels across different regions of the province.

“That means that some children would be more vulnerable than others.”

She says the current problems the economy is facing make it even more important to support BC’s at risk children.