October 15, 2022 is Election Day in municipalities across British Columbia. On that day, eligible voters exercise their right to vote for mayors, councilors, school board trustees (and, in Vancouver, park board trustees). We have developed an election toolkit to help you with strategies and questions that put children and MORE
First Call’s Early Childhood Development Roundtable has written to the Minister of Children and Family Development to request the ministry consider restoring the positions of Provincial Advisor for Infant Development Programs (IDP) and Supported Child Development Programs (SCDP), which were cut many years ago. As we have learned from both MORE
This year’s budget announced historic investments in child care, brought some welcome news for youth in care and for kinship care families, but fell short on other important investments for children, youth and their families. Here’s our take on Budget 2022. Child Care For children and their families, the highlight MORE
In October 2021, we received a response from Ministers Dean and Chen to our letter on behalf of First Call’s Early Childhood Development Roundtable sharing perspectives and concerns raised at our April meeting about the 2021 BC Budget in relation to young children and their families. Specifically, we expressed concern MORE
September 20, 2021 is Election Day in Canada. On that day, eligible voters exercise their right to vote for one of the candidates in their riding to represent them in the federal House of Commons. You can help put children and youth on the election agenda. This toolkit will help MORE
Today, First Call and Basics for Health Society sent a letter to the BC government urging a coordinated response to children’s health during this COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates, physicians, researchers and health care professionals have come together to voice their alarm about the harmful impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, MORE
Today, First Call’s Early Childhood Development Roundtable (ECDRT) wrote to Ministers Chen and Conroy to share concerns expressed by the forty-three people from around the province who participated in our March 25th meeting. Many issues raised were related to the fragility of providers of early child development services and the MORE
Welcome to our monthly update about First Call’s advocacy work and key developments in child and youth policy in BC. Highlights this month include: Fostering Change Campaigners Take Their Voices to Victoria First Call Joins the Coalition for Healthy School Food Kids Can’t Wait Summit II Living Wage for Families MORE
On July 16 2019, Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy and Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen responded to our May 27, 2019 letter that reinforced the call for a more urgent focus on the issue of fair compensation for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in government’s MORE
In this year’s BC budget submission, First Call highlights five recommendations from our 2018 Child Poverty Report Card starting with important targeted poverty reduction measures for families living in deep poverty. Key Recommendations 1. Increase income supports for families living in deep poverty 2. Invest in early childhood 3. Ensure MORE
On May 27 2019, First Call sent a letter to Minister of Children and Family Development, Honourable Katrine Conroy, and Minister of State for Child Care, Honourable Katrina Chen. We wrote on behalf of First Call’s Early Childhood Development Roundtable to reinforce the call for a more urgent focus on MORE
On October 16, 2018, First Call sent a letter to Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen on behalf of the Early Childhood Development Roundtable. The roundtable has been discussing concerns arising from the experiences of families who have children with special needs about the fees they are being MORE
On November 2 2017, First Call sent Minister Dix a letter asking for more details about this change from his ministry, and for the minimum outdoor play space per child to be increased. Sue Bedford, Director of Community Care Facility Licensing and Assisted Living Registry, responded on Minister Dix’s behalf on MORE
Welcome to our monthly update about First Call’s advocacy work and key developments in child and youth policy in BC. Highlights this month include: First Call Submission to Federal Budget Tent Cities: Open Letter Calls For Public Health Approach To Reducing Health And Safety Risks Welcome Nadine Gagné-L’Hirondelle Living Wage MORE
Welcome to our monthly update about First Call’s advocacy work and key developments in child and youth policy in BC. Highlights this month include: First Call is Hiring a Living Wage for Families Campaign Organizer First Call Advocacy in June Living Wage Employers Event Welcome to New First Call Coalition MORE