[LabComm] NDP News This Week

[BC NDP Newswire]

NDP News This Week



March 30, 2006

<strong>Opposition submits child protection FOI to Ted Hughes for independent review</strong>
 
VICTORIA -- On Wednesday, Opposition Children and Family Development Critic Adrian Dix released information obtained through Freedom of Information about the reckless and rushed implementation of kith and kin agreements. That information is now being turned over to the Honourable Ted Hughes so he can include the important government documents in his independent review of the child protection system.
 
"The documents we received through FOI prove that the kith and kin policy was fast-tracked because of financial and political pressure," said Dix. "The documents show a disturbing pattern of mistakes and incompetence. The government needs to ensure that it learns from the information. That's why I am submitting the entire FOI package to Mr. Hughes. He needs to know what really happened so he can fulfill his mandate to recommend improvements to the way government provides services to children."
 
In Question Period on Wednesday, the Opposition asked the Minister of Children and Family Development if all the information in the FOI package had been submitted to Mr. Hughes for review. Unfortunately, the Minister refused to answer the question.

"Once again we get no response from the minister on critical questions, on important issues -- on important issues to the people of British Columbia and, in particular, to children and families at risk," said NDP Leader Carole James

"The information received proves that this government is more interested in budget reductions and their own political issues than it was in protecting children in care. After months of denial from the minister and from the Premier, we heard the Solicitor General come clean and admit that budget cuts and mismanagement of government contributed to the chaos we've seen in Children and Families."
 
To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16015.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

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March 29, 2006

<strong>FOI documents reveal rushed implementation of kith and kin policy</strong>

VICTORIA -- Documents released to the Opposition reveal that the Ministry of Children and Family Development rushed the implementation of kith and kin agreements under financial and political pressure to reduce the number of children in care, NDP Children and Family Development Adrian Dix said today.

"We now know from the government's own information that the kith and kin policy was deliberately fast tracked, rushed and mishandled," said Dix. "The original implementation date was set for September 3, 2002, but the decision was made at the highest levels to move ahead in July -- despite concerns about agency and social worker readiness.

"It appears that critical decisions were made under financial and political pressure to reduce the number of children in care," said Dix. "As a result, deeply-flawed draft guidelines were distributed to social workers as placements began."

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16013.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.
 
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March 28, 2006

<strong>Opposition looks to ban tobacco sales in pharmacies</strong>

VICTORIA -- Today NDP Opposition Health Critic David Cubberley tabled a Private Member's Bill that would see the government prohibit the sale of tobacco in pharmacies.

"BC must renew it efforts and again become a leader in tackling tobacco addiction among youth, and that starts with making cigarettes harder to get," said Cubberley.

"This is one tangible step we can take that has been proven to work in other provinces," said Cubberley, who pointed out that the Ontario government instated a similar ban more than fifteen years ago. 

"Selling cigarettes in pharmacies runs counter to our common sense and efforts to make cigarettes more difficult for youth to obtain."

Cubberley said that pharmacists have also been asking for tobacco to be taken off their shelves. "They see themselves and their pharmacies as dispensing remedies, not addictive substances."

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16012.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.
 
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March 27, 2006

<strong>Government rewards player in the Doug Walls scandal with a hefty pay package</strong>

VICTORIA -- Under questioning in the Legislature last week, the Minister of Children and Family 

Development was forced to admit that friend and insider Brian Berglund was given a $216,000 position inside government. Mr. Berglund was a key figure in the Doug Walls scandal involving CareNet that forced the minister of the day to resign.

"Mr. Berglund was a central figure in the Doug Walls scandal that brought down a minister," said Dix. 

"His name is mentioned 63 times in the PricewaterhouseCoopers independent report that examined the scandal. And now, he has been appointed Community Living BC's chief information officer with a pay package worth $216,000. Mr. Berglund and his firm were also awarded untendered contracts worth thousands last year."

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16010.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

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