First Call submitted our BC Budget 2019 consultation on October 15, 2018. Our submission raises concerns and makes recommendations affecting children youth and families in BC that have been raised by our research and our member organizations regarding various themes. We highlight four recommendations: Enhancing and expanding BC’s child benefit to reduce MORE
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
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
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
Today, First Call submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Labour and The Law Institute of B.C. calling for better government protection for children who are working. First Call’s recommendations provide a framework for the B.C. government to develop employment standards consistent with Canada’s commitment to establish 16 as the age 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
On July 23rd, First Call sent a package to all BC MLAs to request they support legislative and regulatory changes in BC’s next legislative session to better protect BC’s children and youth from exploitation and injury doing jobs meant for adults. We called on the need for a gradual, safety-focused approach 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
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