Province to cut $10 million from services: Ministry of Children and Family Development demands agency reductions by April 1
Vancouver Sun
By Jonathan Fowlie
February 12, 2010

The B.C. government plans to cut an estimated $10 million in funding from organizations that provide services to some of the province's most vulnerable children and families.

In a confidential letter sent last month, executive directors in the Ministry of Children and Family Development were told that cuts to contracted agencies would be necessary by April 1, because "it is no longer possible to achieve the fiscal targets for 2010/11 without baseline reductions to funding for community service providers."

"Although the province has maintained its funding levels for the Ministry of Children and Family Development," the Jan. 21 letter said, "at this time we are not able to meet cost pressures arising out of inflation, increased caseloads in some services, and increases in the cost of delivery of services."…

Polak said the ministry will also transfer another $5 million from so-called mainstream contracted agencies and it to organizations that provide services for aboriginal children and families….

NDP critic Maurine Karagianis was highly critical of the planned cuts, saying they will be "devastating to communities." She said the cuts have the potential to hit everything from crisis lines to victim services to programs for those struggling with mental health problems or addiction.

"So many of these programs are vital to communities. How can you possibly cut them without harming children and families in the process?" she asked….