As part of its commitment under the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, the B.C. government is investing $500,000 to increase access to transition house and safe-home services for Aboriginal women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

Recognizing Premier Christy Clark’s commitment to improve Aboriginal child welfare services and programming in B.C., Grand Chief Edward John has been appointed as senior advisor on Aboriginal child welfare to the Minister of Children and Family Development.

A conservative estimate is that nine out of every 1,000 babies in Canada are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). That means there are at least 41,679 affected British Columbians – roughly equivalent to the population of a small city.

Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux has released the following statement regarding the government’s decision to file notice to appeal the recent decision of Justice Walker in the J.P. matter:

The Province is investing $1.5 million to increase services and supports throughout the province for Aboriginal people who are affected by domestic violence.

The Government of B.C. is taking the next step toward its goal, under the BC Early Years Strategy, to expand the network of BC Early Years Centres in communities throughout the province.

Former children and youth in care will receive support for their future training and educational needs through the newly established Learning Fund for Young Adults (LFYA).

Government is contributing $250,000 to the Youth Futures Education Fund, which will be available to help cover expenses beyond tuition that may be a barrier to post-secondary education for former youth in care.