Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, has issued the following statement in response to the representative for children and youth’s investigation announcement on Monday, June 26, 2023:

An increase in government funding means more children with support needs are receiving inclusive child care, and more child care providers will be trained to provide these services to help children of all abilities thrive in communities throughout British Columbia.

Families of children and youth with support needs can soon access supports and services through newly established pilot family connections centres in four B.C. communities.

Young people from government care have more support to make stronger transitions into adulthood because of $600-a-month rent supplements.

A survey about social work oversight in B.C. is available to social work practitioners and the general public.

Premier David Eby and Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, have met with representatives of the First Nations Leadership Council and AutismBC, as well as B.C.’s representative for children and youth to discuss improving services for children and youth with support needs.

B.C. child and family welfare laws now respect and uphold the inherent rights of Indigenous communities to provide their own child and family services with the passing of new legislation.