BC Community Living Action Group letter to the Vancouver Sun in response to Premier Clark

The BC Community Living Action Group (BC-CLAG), of which BCACL is a member, sent the following letter to the Vancouver Sun on December 16, 2011:

The BC Community Living Action Group (BC-CLAG) was stunned by the Premier's claim that more funding to Community Living BC (CLBC) represents a “quick fix” (Insisting she has no regrets, Clark hopes for more positive future- Dec.16th). The Premier also insists that government must be open, listen to the people, and wants to understand the problems plaguing CLBC.
 
The BC-CLAG, a provincial network of self-advocates, families, support staff and agencies who support adults with developmental disabilities have been speaking out about the crisis in BC's community living sector for more than a year. For more than six months, our invitations to meet and collaborate with the Premier and her Minister(s) were dodged and then reluctantly accepted.
 
The government must commit to a complete fix of the community living system. Our unanimous recommendations will ensure this happens: 1. order an external review or public inquiry into CLBC; 2. $70 million in emergency funding plus operational funding to meet existing and emerging needs; 3. a stop to service redesign; 4. Appoint an independent advocate for adults with developmental disabilities to ensure that CLBC is transparent and accountable; 5. regulate home sharing; and 6. Introduce provincial legislation setting out the inclusion, rights and support entitlements of adults with developmental disabilities. (Details at www.communitylivingaction.org)
 
Anything less will indeed be deemed a “quick fix.”
 
Jane Dyson on behalf of the BC Community Living Action Group (BC-CLAG)