B.C. Liberal Bloy Denies $22 Million Cut To Persons Living With Disabilities
VICTORIA –While the B.C. Liberals deny a $22 million cut to Community Living B.C. (CLBC), adults living with disabilities struggle with the reality of cuts to critical support services, says New Democrat Community Living Critic Nicholas Simons.
A consensus report released today by the B.C. Community Living Action Group (B.C. – CLAG) says the B.C. Liberal government’s sweeping cuts have violated the fundamental rights of people living with disabilities and every commitment the B.C. Liberals made when they established CLBC.
“Families have suffered under this government but none more than those caring for a family member with a developmental disability,” said Simons during Question Period today. “The B.C. Liberals' chronic underfunding of Community Living B.C. has stretched the agency so far that last year they were forced to close over 30 group homes for developmentally disabled adults throughout the province. And more group homes are slated to close this year.”
B.C. CLAG reports the dramatic cost-driven changes are destroying the community inclusion infrastructure that supports adults with developmental disabilities in B.C.
Harry Bloy, the Minister for Social Development, denied the massive cut in the legislature today calling it a ‘service redesign’ and when pressed in a media scrum stated that he hadn’t yet reviewed the report.
“While the B.C. Liberals refuse to take accountability, the reality is waitlists are growing, day programs are being cut or eliminated and group homes are shutting down,” said New Democrat Social Development critic Shane Simpson. “Funding levels are not meeting the demand for services. It’s estimated that by 2013 the demand for adult services will have risen by 60 per cent in a decade.”
Today’s report identified 33 group homes forced to close in Victoria, Maple Ridge, Chilliwack, Surrey, Kamloops, Williams Lake, and Terrace between March 31 and December 31, 2010. The report cites eight recommendations to resolve the growing community living crisis.
“While the B.C. Liberals tout a families first agenda they’re trying to fix their budget problems on the backs of B.C.’s most vulnerable and cutting critical supports for adults who cannot live safely on their own or with their families,” said Simons. “These families are in crisis and I’m calling on the Minister to read the report, show some political will and respond to the recommendations.”
