CLBC Funding Crisis in the News and Debated in the Legislature
Quick Links |
Community Living Crisis in the MediaLast night's Global BC Newscast [22:24] reported on the community living crisis, featuring the stories of the Lee and Martin families. "Hundreds of developmentally challenged people are graduating from school every year and they need continuing care. Care that can be very expensive. And many parents say they are on their own, despite promises of help from the province." View the newscast here. Story is at 22:24. In the LegislatureCLBC's funding crisis was brought up again in the Legislature yesterday, May 17, as opposition MLA's questioned the Minister about CLBC's inability to fund plans for youth with developmental disabilities transitioning out of high school. Read the transcript here. [scroll down to 1420] . Global News also reported on the Question Period exchange in last night's newscast. The minister continued to defend CLBC funding and asked opposition members to send him information about families who are not receiving services and he would "be prepared to talk about it." *Note: Families can email the Minister directly at harry.bloy.mla@leg.bc.ca. Representatives from the Community Living Action Group (CLAG) will be at the Legislative buildings today to bring attention to the growing crisis in community living. Tune in to the Legislative Assembly website to watch Question Period live or to read the transcript. Question period begins at 1:30 p.m. Read today's BC-CLAG press release here: How you can help:Contact the Minister of Social Development, Harry Bloy. In the Legislature yesterday Harry Bloy expressed a desire to hear from families who are not getting the supports they need. You can contact the Minister directly by email: harry.bloy.mla@leg.bc.ca Phone: 250 356-7750 Whether your MLA is NDP or Liberal, it is important that they hear from their constituents about this important issue. If you believe families should be getting the supports they so desperately need, call or email your MLA. Please remember to let us know if you contact your MLA, by cc'ing us on the email or calling us. info@bcacl.org or 604-777-9100. Write to or call the opposition critic for Community Living BC, MLA Nicholas Simons. Since the House began sitting, Opposition MLAs have kept up pressure in the Legislature, challenging the Minister of Social Development Harry Bloy to increase funding to Community Living BC. In order to keep up the pressure, they want to hear from families who are waiting for services, whose services have been cut back, or who have been told there are no services available to them. You can email Nicholas Simons at nicholas.simons.mla@leg.bc.ca or call his office at 250-387-3655. You can reach him toll-free by calling Enquiry BC and asking for the Official Opposition Caucus: 1-800-663-7867 Write to the Premier, Christy Clark. Christy Clark has promised to "put families first." The Premier needs to know that families who support family members with a disability must be included in her family agenda. You can contact Christy Clark online here: http://www.christyclark.ca/premierchristyclark/contact.php *You can phone the Premier's office at 250 387-1715 or fax to 250 387-0087 Go public with your story. BCACL has been speaking with media who want to talk to families who are having difficulty accessing vital services. If you are willing to tell your story to your local media, BCACL can help connect you. Please call or email Danielle at BCACL at dkelliher@bcacl.org or 604-777-9100 ext. 527. Tweet or Facebook your Message. If you're on Twitter, include #bcpoli and @christyclarkbc in your tweet, or retweet BCACL's messages. Check out BCACL's Twitter page here, for up-to-date messages: http://twitter.com/#!/BCACL. If you're on Facebook, visit our page and "like" us to see updates in your newsfeed. You can also either send us a message or post on our wall. |