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
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
In April 2018, Premier John Horgan sent a thoughtful response to the policy memorandum that was developed at the Youth Policy Solutions Day that First Call co-hosted with Vancouver Foundation’s Fostering Change in October 2017. His letter outlines actions that the government has implemented since July 2017 and clearly outlines MORE
NEW June 2018: Revised Submission to BC Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultation On March 30th 2018, First Call sent in a submission to the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultation to Minister Simpson. Our first provincial report card containing data for 1994 showed that one in five BC children were poor. It is MORE
Alumni of care at the Vancouver Island University Tuition Waiver program, in partnership with First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, submitted to the BC Poverty Reduction Consultation. The series of recommendations was pulled from a consultation meeting with alumni of care who had suggestions around poverty policy. The MORE
The Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks, in partnership with First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, submitted to the BC Poverty Reduction Consultation. The series of recommendations was pulled from a consultation meeting with alumni of care who had suggestions around poverty policy. The group identified three MORE
In March 2018, Peter Julian, MP, responded to First Call’s letter regarding the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy (CPRS). He notes his appreciation for sharing the submission with the MPs and agreed with First Call’s comprehensive policy approach to eliminate poverty. He says in the letter: “Poverty in Canada is the MORE
On October 31, 2017, First Call sent a letter to the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix to ask why the minimum outdoor play space per child as determined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation was reduced from 7 square metres for licensed child care programs to 6 square metres. First Call requested details MORE
On January 31, 2018, the BC government cut Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums by 50%, making health care accessible for many people across the province. January 31 was also the deadline for public submissions to the MSP Task Force, formed in late 2017 to advise the provincial government on how to MORE
On November 24, 2017, First Call sent a letter to Premier Horgan and six cabinet ministers along with a policy brief developed with youth from care calling for action to enhance supports for youth leaving the foster care system. The brief, which was also shared with all BC MLAs, made MORE
January 2018 On November 1, 2017, First Call’s Early Childhood Development Roundtable sent a letter to the Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development, and Andrew Weaver, leader of the BC Green Party, to express concern that their commitment to child care was not reflected in the September MORE
As part of consultations held over November and December 2017, First Call made a submission to the BC Fair Wages Commission, demonstrating why BC urgently needs a minimum wage in line with the current cost of living and the social costs of keeping wages in BC unacceptably low, as well MORE
The Living Wage for Families Campaign has been active throughout November and December 2017 in mobilizing Living Wage and progressive employers to take part in ongoing BC Fair Wages Commission consultations happening around BC, ensuring the voices of low-wage workers are well-represented in the process. Find the full submission here.
Via email November 27, 2017 Dear BC Members of Parliament, Last week First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition released the 2017 BC Child Poverty Report Card. Campaign 2000 also released the national child poverty report card which can be accessed, along with reports from other provinces, here. We MORE