What: Rally to support B.C.’s Children and Youth
Who: Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) workers in North Vancouver
When: Thursday April 27 at 12pm
Where: MLA Noami Yamamoto’s Constituency Office - 5 north, 221 Esplanade W, North Vancouver
Why: The B.C. Government has refused to fund and implement several recommendations from Bob Plecas’ review of child welfare in B.C. (the Plecas report), including wage increases, adequate backfill, and proper training for social workers in MCFD, putting children and youth at risk and greater strain on frontline services.

MCFD workers in North Vancouver are coming together at noon on Thursday April 26 to call on the B.C. Government to take serious steps in implementing the recommendations in the Plecas report and protect children and youth. 

Employees’ main demands are that the government address wage concerns in MCFD and develop proper accreditation for child and youth group homes. In BC, social workers earn 11% less than their average counterpart in the rest of Canada. 

“Low wage rates, lack of training and accreditation, and low staffing levels are putting children and youth at risk.” said Doug Kinna, Vice President - Social, Information and Health Component of the BCGEU. “If the government is serious about protecting youth, they have to start implementing and funding the Plecas recommendations immediately.”

Workers will also be calling for improvements in the Child and Youth Mental Health services. Low wages and high workloads has led to a shortage of clinicians that contributes to dangerously long wait lists for service.  

The Plecas report reviewed B.C.’s child welfare system, finding that it lacks accountability, proper staffing levels, training, and funding. The report included a series of recommendations to be implemented over 4 years, most of which have been ignored by government. 

On April 5 and April 12 dozens of MCFD workers in Vancouver and Maple Ridge respectively attended a rally outside of the offices of local MLAs with similar demands.

Media and photo opportunities available during the event

For more information, contact Doug Kinna at 250-715-6003

What: Rally to support B.C.’s Children and Youth
Who: Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) workers in North Vancouver
When: Thursday April 27 at 12pm
Where: MLA Noami Yamamoto’s Constituency Office - 5 north, 221 Esplanade W, North Vancouver
Why: The B.C. Government has refused to fund and implement several recommendations from Bob Plecas’ review of child welfare in B.C. (the Plecas report), including wage increases, adequate backfill, and proper training for social workers in MCFD, putting children and youth at risk and greater strain on frontline services.

MCFD workers in North Vancouver are coming together at noon on Thursday April 26 to call on the B.C. Government to take serious steps in implementing the recommendations in the Plecas report and protect children and youth. 

Employees’ main demands are that the government address wage concerns in MCFD and develop proper accreditation for child and youth group homes. In BC, social workers earn 11% less than their average counterpart in the rest of Canada. 

“Low wage rates, lack of training and accreditation, and low staffing levels are putting children and youth at risk.” said Doug Kinna, Vice President - Social, Information and Health Component of the BCGEU. “If the government is serious about protecting youth, they have to start implementing and funding the Plecas recommendations immediately.”

Workers will also be calling for improvements in the Child and Youth Mental Health services. Low wages and high workloads has led to a shortage of clinicians that contributes to dangerously long wait lists for service.  

The Plecas report reviewed B.C.’s child welfare system, finding that it lacks accountability, proper staffing levels, training, and funding. The report included a series of recommendations to be implemented over 4 years, most of which have been ignored by government. 

On April 5 and April 12 dozens of MCFD workers in Vancouver and Maple Ridge respectively attended a rally outside of the offices of local MLAs with similar demands.

Media and photo opportunities available during the event

For more information, contact Doug Kinna at 250-715-6003