The B.C. Association for Community Living works with a variety of levels of government on issues affecting adults with developmental disabilities, children and youth with special needs, and their families.

In this section you will find a brief description of provincial government ministries that have responsibilities related to community living, and what concerns the BC Association for Community Living has regarding those responsibilities. Each section also includes links to other BCACL pages that provide further information on the issues, and a link to the appropriate BCACL staff person if you would like to communicate with someone directly on a specific issue.

BCACL works in partnership with the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) on federal government issues that have an impact on people with developmental disabilities and their families at the national level. Our Federal page in this section gives further information and links you to the CACL website.

Please click here for Government of Canada's Guide to Services for People with Disabilities.

Update - BCACL preliminary budget analysis, February 2008
Click here to find a BCACL memo with a preliminary budget analysis for Community Living BC, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

Update - Provincial Budget, February 2008
BCACL feels that the provincial government has not gone far enough in improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities with Budget 2008. Click here to read our press release issued February 20, 2008.

BCACL was present in Victoria at the Budget Lockup on February 19th in hopes of being reassured that government will respond to children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families in crisis. Click here to read our media advisory released on February 18th. Click here to download BCACL's submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance in October 2007.

Click here to go to the government's Budget 2008 page with information about the budget including Budget Highlights, slide presentations and backgrounders. Click here to access their news release about Budget 2008.

Read the transcript of the Throne Speech delivered on February 12, 2008.
Download two press releases on the Throne Speech from the Office of the Premier by clicking here and here.

Update - BCACL's Letter to Minister of Children and Family Development, February 2008
BCACL wrote a letter to Min. Christensen to reinforce some of our key concerns and follow up on our recommendations that came out of our meeting together. Click here to read the letter.

Update - BCACL's Letter to Minister of Finance, January 2008
BCACL wrote a letter to Min. Carole Taylor requesting an urgent meeting with her before Budget 2008-09 is announced, in order to explain the case for increased funding for community living supports and services. Click here to read the letter.