The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) extends its congratulations to Bernard Richard, the newly appointed B.C. Representative for Children and Youth.

“The independent B.C. Representative for Children and Youth is a vital resource to our province’s children and youth in care,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

“We’re encouraged by the government’s timely selection of an experienced representative and we hope that he’ll continue the important work of his office with the same passion and diligence as his predecessor.

“We look forward to meeting with Richard at the earliest opportunity to discuss issues specific to the work of our members such as staffing shortages and workload.

“BCGEU and its members are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and youth in care and we intend to work as collaboratively with the new independent representative as we always have with his office.”

BCGEU represents over 2000 social workers working with children and youth in care in the Ministry of Children and Family Development and at several other delegated aboriginal agencies like the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society and Métis Family Services.

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