Lək̓ʷəŋən [Lekwungen] Territory / VICTORIA, B.C. : In response to the Representative for Children and Youth July 23, 2024 report No Time To Wait, B.C. Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau has released the following statement:
“After yet another grave report on the Ministry of Children and Family Development from the Representative for Children and Youth, the question for the Premier and his government to answer is: who is accountable?” Furstenau asked. “We’ve seen case workers blamed for systemic failures, we’ve seen Ministers and Deputy Ministers replaced, but still, B.C. children are in danger.

“This report reinforces what we’ve heard from British Columbians decade after decade: MCFD fails to protect children, families, and its own workers. There are good people trying to help children in this province, and the toxic system at MCFD is actively thwarting their efforts.

“Given the ‘culture of fear’ at this ministry, simply hiring more staff won’t be enough. This is not a people problem, this is a culture problem. The RCY report describes frontline staff who are afraid of their supervisors and afraid to tell people where they work.”

The B.C. Greens are calling on this Premier and his government for leadership to free British Columbians from this endless cycle of reports and inaction. The B.C. Greens are also calling, once again, for amendments to the Social Workers Amendment Act, requiring all practicing social workers to register with the B.C. College of Social Workers.

“The Social Workers Amendment Act, 2024, which we introduced this spring, would not only protect children and families, it would also protect social workers. The B.C. Association of Social Workers (BCASW) has advocated for this type of change for six decades,” Furstenau said.

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Media Contact:

Rippon Madtha (he/him)
Communications Manager
rippon.madtha@B.C.greens.ca
Phone: +1 778-650-0597