Pundits, pols, union support Oct 28 Action
Our provincial day of action is getting terrific support from other sectors.
Strategic Thoughts' David Schreck just posted a call for support on his popular blog.
The BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU) will be circulating that in their weekly bulletin to 26,000 members!
And The Tyee , BC's online independent news source, ran our Op Ed prominently over the weekend.
Politicians across the spectrum are also expressing support for families fighting for BC's vulnerable children.
Please send us links to any endorsements or expressions of support that you come across and we'd be happy to share them! And thanks for the great support, everyone!!
Support our provincial day of action!
MOMS needs you!
If you can spare just one hour to stand out in the cold on October 28, you can join parents around the province and help us send a strong message to Victoria: Families expect Premier Campbell to honour his promises to BC's children with special needs!
In 2005, BC Premier Gordon Campbell promised to build the best system of supports for children with special needs in Canada. Despite huge provincial surpluses, he failed to fix major gaps and waitlists for critical children’s services. Now he’s cutting services, like autism programs established after Militant Moms first took to the streets in protest across BC - almost eight years ago to the day.
MOMS Op-Ed
(The following MOMS Op Ed was sent to BC newspapers today. Feel free to sign on and send a copy to your local newspaper.)
Premier Campbell's forgotten promise to BC's children with special needs
In his government's 2006 - 2009 Strategic Plan, Premier Gordon Campbell outlined five great goals for his Golden Decade. Goal #3 was to 'Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors.'
Three years later, Campbell and his Children's Minister, Mary Polak, seem to have entirely forgotten that promise. They've failed to improve supports for children with special needs. Existing systems are being cut, with no effort to resolve chronic service gaps:
MOMS ACTION: Summary of cuts
Tell the BC government that investing in children is a top priority . (Deadline for 2010 Budget input: Oct. 23)
(Please distribute widely, with apologies for cross-postings!)
Vancouver, October 13, 2009
Premier Campbell's forgotten promise:
BC government's 2006 - 2009 Strategic Plan: 5 Great Goals for the Golden Decade:
Goal #3 : ' Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors.'
Three years later, the BC government has forgotten all about about Great Goal #3. We've seen no improvements in supports for children and youth with special needs. Existing systems are being dismantled and services cut, with no effort to resolve long-standing service gaps:
- Intensive intervention programs for autism axed, despite overwhelming need & evidence these programs work well & expert advice that direct funding is not an effective alternative for many.
- Parents who effectively manage autism funding forced to switch to Ministry-administered payments . This will create new problems, including delays and higher costs
- Provincial offices that provide direct services including oversight, coordination, training and standards for community Infant Development Programs and Aboriginal IDPs to be axed.
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Axing of the provincial Supported Child Care office, which was recently created to resolve problems from the lack of oversight, coordination, training & consistency in local SCC programs.
- URGENT NOTE : A month's notice won't allow SCC staff to properly transfer roles. Pls. urge govt to at least extend these roles to March 2010 to permit an orderly transition.