First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society has submitted recommendations for BC Budget 2027, calling on the provincial government to put children and youth first in public spending decisions. Our submission highlights three priority areas: reducing child poverty through stronger…
First Call has submitted a letter to the National Housing Council Review Panel on the lack of accessible housing in Canada. Drawing on findings from our 2023 report, A Failure to Protect: The Denial of Children’s Right to Housing in…
First Call’s 2026 federal pre-budget submission calls on the Government of Canada to put children and youth first in Budget 2026. Our recommendations focus on reducing child and family poverty, supporting newcomer families, improving parental leave, expanding affordable housing, strengthening…
First Call has joined a growing national call for stronger protections for children online by signing an open letter urging the federal government to establish a minimum age for social media access in Canada. With rising concerns about mental health,…
Dear Member of Parliament, We are writing to you today to gain your support for Petition e-6646 which has been certified and was presented in the House of Commons by Dan Albas (Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna) on February 2, 2026.…
Our letter to Minister Beare urges strengthened investments and action to expand access for all families. Updates and Responses: March 5, 2026 Minister Beare’s response to our letter
The letter urges governments to increase public funding, prioritize non-profit and public delivery, reduce fees for low-income families, improve workforce compensation, expand access equitably, ensure transparency, and fully implement Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Frameworks. Child Care Now is…
Following the release of First Call’s 2025 BC Child Poverty Report Card, we wrote to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) across British Columbia to share the findings and outline urgent provincial actions needed to address not just the rate…
In response to the findings of First Call’s 2025 BC Child Poverty Report Card, we sent a letter to Members of Parliament (MPs) representing British Columbia to highlight the critical role federal policy plays in reducing child poverty. While government…
First Call’s submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for Budget 2025, urges the federal government to adopt bold, equity-driven measures that will significantly improve the lives of families living in poverty.
June 5, 2025 Hello Committee Members and thank you for your time. I’m Adrienne Montani, Executive Director of First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society. Along with our Affiliate network of over 100 member organizations– including non-profits, professional and industry…
As part of their 2024 election platform, the government prioritized the creation of a universal school food program to ensure all students have access to healthy meals that support children’s health and development. As a member of the BC Chapter…
With the start of the Spring 2025 BC Legislature session about to begin, we wanted to ensure that all elected and re-elected MLA’s were familiar with the statistics and stories about how worsening poverty is affecting families with children in…
First Call is calling on the Minister of Children and Family Development to amend the regulations under the Social Work Act to require mandatory registration with the BC College of Social Workers for all social workers in BC in order…
On March 21, 2024, First Call wrote to Chair Senator Brent Cotter and members of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, urging them to pass Bill C-291. Passing this bill would amend the Criminal Code and other…
