On September 28, 2018, First Call submitted recommendations to The Advisory Council on the Implementation of a National Pharmacare Program. The submission recognizes that socioeconomic position is one of the most important social determinants of health. Our submission highlights five recommendations: Recommendation 1: Implement a national pharmacare program with a high-level focus MORE
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is currently inviting British Columbians to share their ideas and priorities for the next provincial budget. We are recommending improvements to BC’s Early Childhood Tax Benefit. In our annual Child Poverty Report Cards we have been calling on government to improve 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
Today in Ottawa, advocates released an open letter urging the Prime Minister to make good on his commitment to the right to housing by enshrining that right in upcoming National Housing Strategy legislation. The letter has been signed by over 150 organizations and prominent Canadians, including First Call. It was MORE
On August 3, First Call participated in the federal government’s Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2019 Budget with a submission that made recommendations in three key areas: Tax Fairness and Income Support Leveling the playing field for Canada’s children and youth is one of the best investments government can 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: Child Labour Campaign in the News Requesting Priorities to Include in Election Toolkit Fostering Change Surprise Action at Pedestrian Overpass September 22nd Public Education Forum Read on MORE
First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition ranked child poverty in BC’s federal electoral ridings based on new research from the national Campaign 2000: End Child and Family Poverty in Canada. The national data finds that child and family poverty persists in every riding from coast to coast to MORE
On June 20, 2018, Mayor Derek Corrigan, Chair, Mayors’ Council, and Lorraine Cunningham, Chair, TransLink Board of Directors, responded to First Call’s presentation to the Joint Public Meeting of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and TransLink’s Board of Directors. They expressed appreciation for First Call’s presentation and follow-up letter and MORE
On June 27, 2018, First Call sent a package to all MPs in BC with ranked child poverty in BC’s federal electoral ridings based on new research from our partner, the national Campaign 2000: End Child and Family Poverty in Canada. First Call endorses Campaign 2000 recommendations including legislation with targets MORE
Canada’s first federal Poverty Reduction Strategy is expected to be released within the next few weeks. Campaign 2000’s newly released child poverty data reveals a disturbing picture of the magnitude of child poverty in every federal riding. The ridings with the worst child poverty rates are home to the highest MORE
This spring the Government of Canada invited responses to a proposed new framework for a human rights-based approach to housing. First Call’s submission recommended the federal government focus on four areas of action: ensure access to safe and affordable housing for children and youth who live in households struggling with 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 Presentation to the Joint Public Meeting on Transit Episode 8: As Word Spreads Podcast Launched Fostering Change Update May Coalition and Early Childhood Development MORE
In our 2017 child poverty report card, we made a recommendation to enhance BC’s current early childhood benefit to more effectively reach poor, children-supporting households. We know, from international data that, on average, social transfers in high-income countries reduce child poverty rates by about one third. Of the provinces offering a child benefit, BC MORE
On May 24, 2018, First Call presented to the Joint Public Meeting of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and TransLink’s Board of Directors. First Call’s comments added to those from a delegation of speakers including the Single Mothers’ Alliance of BC and the TripEd Campaign. First Call drew attention 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: Living Wage for Families Releases 2018 Living Wage Calculations in BC Release of 2017 Child Poverty Record Card Regional Factsheets Fostering Change: Advocacy with youth from care for MORE