VICTORIA – Today is Child and Youth Day in B.C., marking Canada’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under the B.C. Liberals, children and family services have been in a constant state of chaos, with report after report showing the government’s failure to take action and provide critical services to children and youth.
The B.C. Liberals claim they’ve upheld the rights of our province’s children, but their record shows otherwise:
Worst child poverty rates
- Under the Liberals, B.C. has had the worst child poverty rates in Canada for a decade. Despite the clear need, the B.C. Liberals still refuse to follow the lead of almost every other province and territory in Canada by implementing a province-wide poverty reduction plan.
No focus on front-line services for Aboriginal youth
- B.C.’s children’s watchdog recently reported the B.C. Liberals failed to show leadership and fulfill their responsibility to child welfare services. Instead of focusing on basic front line services, they compromised care for Aboriginal children and families and spent $66 million on ever-changing organizational direction in the Ministry of Children and Families.
No action on affordable and accessible child care
- The BC Liberals have failed to address the affordability and accessibility of early learning and child care in BC which is fundamental to improving the school readiness of children and to enabling many parents to enter and stay in the workforce.
Lack of support for youth in care
- The B.C. Liberals have failed to provide adequate support for youth in care, including support for those transitioning out of care, mental health services and residential care.
Quote from New Democrat children and families critic Carole James:
“Despite repeated promises, the B.C. Liberal government has failed to address some of the most serious issues facing B.C.’s children and youth. British Columbians deserve more than empty words and hollow promises – the time for action is now.”