Forgotten Promise to BC's Children
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BC Premier Gordon Campbell
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Great Goal #3 of Premier Gordon Campbells Strategic Plan for BC is to build the best system of support in Canada for children with special needs and those at risk. A truly laudable goal but one that has been forgotten.
While BC enjoyed record budget surpluses, waitlists for crucial supports grew longer, both in and out of school. Now Childrens Minister Mary Polak has cut millions from key programs for autism, FASD, infant and child development and Aboriginal children at risk. Other cuts include youth programs (mental health, addiction treatment), Special Olympics and funding for community-based childrens services. Polak also cut critical monitoring and oversight roles that assure childrens welfare and safety, and cut out important delivery options like direct funding. There was no risk assessment of impacts and these cuts accompany yet another major ministry re-structuring that will further strain capacity to support children at risk.
Professionals, disability groups, families, community organizations, staff and ordinary citizens have pleaded with Premier Campbell, Minister Polak and their colleagues to reconsider the damage they are causing. Decades of research affirm the cost benefits of intensive early intervention and support for at-risk children this offers real hope to struggling children and saves us all far more than it costs.
These cuts are not necessary theyre about priorities. The revised BC budget commits $14 billion in new capital spending. Alberta spends twice as much on autism for fewer kids and hasnt cut this despite a far higher deficit. BCs cuts will impose far higher costs on other ministries (education, housing, justice & social services). But Polak says this is the best we can do to help BCs vulnerable children.
We disagree. These cuts are foolish, short-sighted and heartless. Denying supports to children in need and children at risk is not consistent with the values we hold as British Columbians. Since BCs vulnerable children cant speak up against these cuts, it is our job as parents and citizens to stand up for them. If enough British Columbians choose to speak up, government will have to respond. Remaining silent means turning our backs on each child in need.
Premier Campbell, you have a duty to honour the promise you made to BCs children. Please act immediately to restore, protect and strengthen vital supports for all children in need and at risk.
While BC enjoyed record budget surpluses, waitlists for crucial supports grew longer, both in and out of school. Now Childrens Minister Mary Polak has cut millions from key programs for autism, FASD, infant and child development and Aboriginal children at risk. Other cuts include youth programs (mental health, addiction treatment), Special Olympics and funding for community-based childrens services. Polak also cut critical monitoring and oversight roles that assure childrens welfare and safety, and cut out important delivery options like direct funding. There was no risk assessment of impacts and these cuts accompany yet another major ministry re-structuring that will further strain capacity to support children at risk.
Professionals, disability groups, families, community organizations, staff and ordinary citizens have pleaded with Premier Campbell, Minister Polak and their colleagues to reconsider the damage they are causing. Decades of research affirm the cost benefits of intensive early intervention and support for at-risk children this offers real hope to struggling children and saves us all far more than it costs.
These cuts are not necessary theyre about priorities. The revised BC budget commits $14 billion in new capital spending. Alberta spends twice as much on autism for fewer kids and hasnt cut this despite a far higher deficit. BCs cuts will impose far higher costs on other ministries (education, housing, justice & social services). But Polak says this is the best we can do to help BCs vulnerable children.
We disagree. These cuts are foolish, short-sighted and heartless. Denying supports to children in need and children at risk is not consistent with the values we hold as British Columbians. Since BCs vulnerable children cant speak up against these cuts, it is our job as parents and citizens to stand up for them. If enough British Columbians choose to speak up, government will have to respond. Remaining silent means turning our backs on each child in need.
Premier Campbell, you have a duty to honour the promise you made to BCs children. Please act immediately to restore, protect and strengthen vital supports for all children in need and at risk.
1727 Signatures
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Cyndi Gerlach
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Dawn Steele
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Tracey Young
- Comments
- The children of BC deserve so much more than what they're getting from this government. Invest in our kids and families and ensure human rights and dignity exist for all. We are all given only one childhood, lets make it the best we can for all of BC's kids. It is good public policy to do so and we all benefit from that.
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Sarah Bailey
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Jane Bouey
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Shannon Gallie
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Janice Ingram
- Comments
- Please reconsider your decision.
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Walter Gerlach
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Lori Doucette
- Comments
- Reverse the EIBI autism funding cuts
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Chris Doucette
- Comments
- Reverse the EIBI autism funding cuts
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Tamara Mann
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Lisa Barrett
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Lauren Klein
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Michelle O'Neill
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Kathleen Forget
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Nicole Strong
- Comments
- Cutting children's programs should never be up for discussion and should never happen! Make BC's most vulnerable population a priority!
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Ilona Colpitts
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Gary Unser
- Comments
- kids deserve a future
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T. Quested
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Sheri Peterson
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Chris Whettell
- Comments
- I have worked in the program directly and with children who have private funding programs. The quality of service is night and day different and each child should be entitled to a quality program. They get it with the EIBI program that had been funded.
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shelly Tully
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Kristy Caldwell
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Cheryl Frith
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Bing Zou
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Stacey Peljhan
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Marko Peljhan
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Patrick O'Reilly
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John Chen
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Yizhong Chen
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Kate Beaulac
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Tia Krogstad
- Comments
- В
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SUSAN WATTS
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Susan
- Comments
- It's not too late to do the right thing!
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Michelle Cataneo
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Chris Cataneo
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Bonnie Nisbet
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Jamie Gatien
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Malcolm Russell
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Hollie Davis
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- Not only short sighted, but fiscally irresponsible. Another promise made was to not slough off debt to our future generations. These cuts will cost billions to taxpayers as these children who do not get the appropriate help now age into adults. The government is stealing the future from these children. Help them get it back!
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T Drummond
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Samantha Warden
- Comments
- You must reverse you decisions to cutting services to our vulnerable children. Including EIBI
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Christine Surridge
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Tracy Martell
- Comments
- В
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Jill Ainsley
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Joyce Roberts
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DEBBIE RUSSELL
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Ellen Toon
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Glynis Brown
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Sylvia Michalewicz
- Comments
- It is critical to restore these essential services.
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