Representative warns children may pay the price of new Liberal cuts

A report released today by the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, says that the provincial government has failed to move on 15 key recommendations made by the Hughes Review that would improve child protection in B.C.

"I find it extremely alarming that government has not acted on the findings of such a key review of the province's child protection system in over 32 months," said Darryl Walker, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU). "We endorse the Representative's call for the government to implement the Hughes report."

Walker also called on the government to engage front-line Ministry staff in the implementation of Hughes' recommendations. In an earlier report, the Representative called on government to ensure that front-line staff are included in changes that will improve the system.

"I agree with Turpel-Lafond's conclusion that more collaboration is needed to ensure that if the economy worsens, children will not pay the price," said Walker.

The Representative's report looks at the implementation of recommendations made by Judge Ted Hughes in a report released in April 2006. The Representative for Children and Youth is an independent officer of the legislature appointed by an all-party committee.

The recommendations deal with the implementation of improvements in quality assurance, accountability and the evaluation of the child protection system.

In a January 2006 submission to the Hughes Review, the BCGEU warned that the safety of children was being put at risk by the deep cuts to public services made by the Liberals in their first term.

"Front line workers see first hand the impact these cuts had on families and children," said Walker.

"I am particularly concerned over reports that the Ministry of Children and Family Development will be looking at "fiscal restraint measures" in the coming weeks," said Walker. "Has the government learned nothing?"

Walker was referring to a memorandum sent by the MCFD Deputy Minister to all employees warning about the steps government might take to cut staff in order to meet new budget reductions.

"I recently had an opportunity to discuss these issues with the Deputy Minister and I look forward to continuing that discussion in the new year," said Walker. "We must all work together to ensure our children are protected."

The BCGEU represents 4,200 employees who work in the Ministry of Children and Family Development and over 10,000 who work in front-line community social service agencies.