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"Next week’s provincial budget will show if the Liberal government is willing to make the broad investment in public services, or if the erosion of these services will continue." — Paul Finch, BCGEU Treasurer
Vancouver (12 Feb. 2016) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is welcoming news that the provincial government plans to implement and expand on the recommendations contained in the Plecas report on the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The news was announced in the throne speech on February 9.
BCGEU/NUPGE welcomes news of change to child and family supports, community care and assisted living
Also included in the speech were government plans to modernize community care and assisted living. In January, the Seniors Advocate for B.C. said services were barely keeping pace with the province’s aging population.
“We applaud the government’s decision to act on the recommendations in the Plecas report and we are encouraged that the government has identified improvements to the delivery of community health care for seniors,” says BCGEU Treasurer Paul Finch. “These are important changes that should improve the lives of the people who rely on these services. It will also come as good news for our front-line members who provide these important services.”
Broad investment in public services required after decades of cuts
“However, after more than a decade of frozen and shrinking budgets, we need to see a broad investment in many other public services as well," Finch said. "Last week, a B.C. Supreme Court judge criticized the provincial government for failing to adequately fund the justice system in our province following repeated courtroom delays due to staffing shortages. The justice system is just one of many branches of government that need an investment of resources and budget increases."
“Next week’s provincial budget will show if the Liberal government is willing to make the broad investment in public services, or if the erosion of these services will continue," Finch concluded.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE