Families, groups, MLAs step up pressure: Community Living gaps highlighted

BC-CLAG marks key anniversary

MOMS will join a delegation of BC-CLAG reps and families at the BC Legislature on May 18 to mark a key milestone in CLBC's history and remind the BC Premier and elected representatives that families have been waiting for seven years for their promises to be honoured.

On May 19, 2004, then Deputy Premier Christy Clark introduced legislation to create Community Living BC, promising that:

" ...This legislation gives British Columbians with developmental disabilities and their families better options and more opportunities in their communities. They'll be able to look forward to a safer, healthier and better quality of life."

Today, Premier Clark''s 2004 promises remain unfulfilled, with fewer options and opportunities, cuts, denial of support and growing alarm over the safety, health and quality of life of vulnerable adults and families.

The anniversary coincides with Ms. Clark’s mandate to return to the Legislature as British Columbia’s new Premier and MLA for Vancouver Point Grey. Despite promises to listen and to put families first, Premier Clark and her Minister for Community Living have so far not agreed to meet with or respond to the concerns and reccomendations shared by families and community living stakeholders through BC-CLAG. Read the BC-CLAG press release

Recent media reports

The Victoria Times Colonist has a story here and an excellent letter to the editor on the concerns about cuts in adult community living and how the Minister misrepresented the increasingly vocal concerns voiced by community groups.

In the Fraser Valley, meanwhile, parent groups were also instrumental in helping to generate a series of reports in the local papers highlighting the dire challenges facing families who find thmselves in a "black hole" with all supports cut off once their children turn 19.

But Minister Harry Bloy responded that there would be no help forthcoming until provincial revenues increase (this despite revelations that the supposedly "revenue neutral" HST is actually bringing in millions more in revenues to Provincial coffers).

What you can do

Last week we asked families to come forward with their stories, and we want to thank everyone who contacted us - we were overwhelmed by the stories of enormous hardship and the brave efforts of families who continue to fight on. We will keep the contacts of all those who connected with us so that we can let you know of any further media opportunities.

The power of telling these personal stories is enormous and we therefore suggest below some alternate avenues for those of you who may not yet have shared your stories directly with elected officials and/or local media:

1. Local media: Consider taking your story directly to your local newspaper, TV, or radio news. They may not have the clout of the big provincial news organizations, but informed communities provide a critically important source of grassroots pressure on local elected officials to take a stand to support their constituencies. As the Chilliwack stories show, local media are often the best avenues for sharing the human impacts and they can reach all the way to Victoria to hold teh Minister himself accountable.

2. Contact your MLA: Ask for a meeting in person to share your personal experience and concerns. Politicians of all parties are human, so if you can establish a human connection AND make a sound case for action, you can create a powerful ally. In addition to sharing your personal experience, you can present a copy of the recent BC CLAG report and recommendations, along with other background information on the BC CLAG Website to help build a case for action.

• Hold your MLA accountable by asking him/her what they intend to do to help.
• Follow through to ensure that they do give you an answer and that they follow through on any commitments.
• Point out that:
  • The BC CLAG report offers real solutions, not just problems
  • The BC CLAG report has the unprecedented support of every stakeholder group in community living.
  • The Premier's commitment to putting families first, additional revenues coming in from the HST and the billions the Province is spending on other priorities.
  • British Columbians expect adults with disabilities to be afforded equal respect and that under the new Premier's promised agenda for change, the needs of families must be given top priority.

2. Opposition: Share your stories with the Opposition MLAs responsible for CLBC and its Ministry. Since the Legislature resumed sitting last week, the Opposition has brought intense pressure on the Provincial government by citing real cases of real families and real hardship to counteract the Minister's claims that there are no cuts and no problems.

After days of stonewalling, Minister Bloy was finally forced to admit last week there was a problem, after BCACL took him to task for his denials (see the Times Colonist story above).  But more such cases are needed to hold the Minister's feet to the fire and ensure that he goes beyond admitting to the problem and starts accepting the responsibility for offering solutions.

Contacts for Opposition Critics:

• Nicholas Simons , Commnunity Living Critic
• Shane Simpson , Social Services Critic

We will continue to press government to act on this issue, along with our BC CLAG partners and will keep you informed of further developments. Meanwhile, please continue to share your stories and information with us, to help guide our own advocacy.

Dawn & Cyndi, MOMS