CLBC funding: small step in the right direction

The government acknowledged the crisis faced by adults with developmental disabilities, but a lot more needs to be done, including truly refunding Community Living B.C. (CLBC), the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) said today.

 “Today, Minister Cadieux acknowledged that trust in CLBC had been badly shaken, and that the onus is on government to restore that trust,” said BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “The measures announced today are positive, but insufficient to resolve the systemic crisis in community living and the chronic underfunding faced by CLBC,” Walker added.

Only $18 million of the funding announced today is directed towards CLBC operations – and half of that money was already announced last September. More than 2,000 British Columbians are currently waiting for service from CLBC, and community living advocates including the BCGEU believe $70 million is needed to address the existing support backlog for adults with disabilities.

Despite the shortfall on funding, the BCGEU welcomes specific aspects of the government’s plan, such as the expansion of the mandate of the representative for children and youth and the improvements in transition planning for youths turning 19, the union believes.

“We have actionable recommendations to fix the crisis in community living in BC, ” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. Those recommendations emerge from a broad community dialogue launched in 2010 by all major community living partner groups, including families, self-advocates, service providers and unionized support staff.

The recommendations include: 

1. Stop CLBC's budget-driven cuts to services and supports;
2. Infuse community living sector with critical emergency and operational funding in the amount of $70 million;
3. Establish an independent advocate for adults with developmental disabilities;
4. Introduce provincial legislation setting out the inclusion rights and support entitlements of adults with developmental disabilities in B.C.;
5. Regulate home sharing.

The BCGEU is an active partner in the BC-Community Living Action Group (BC-CLAG), a network of self-advocates, families, support staff and agencies that support adults with disabilities.

Related links:

• Province of BC News Release (PDF - with backgrounder that details 12-Point Plan);
• Deputy Minister's review of CLBC (PDF - with details around funding allocations);
• Report from Internal Review of CLBC (PDF)