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City of Surrey selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

THE City of Surrey has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2019. Canada’s Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across the country that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs, including programs for five major employee groups: Women; Members of visible minorities; Persons with disabilities; Aboriginal peoples; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered / Transsexual (LGBT) peoples.

“We are honoured to receive this award and all that it represents,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “Diversity is an important part of our city’s culture. Recognition on this level speaks volumes about the work we have done to promote, support, and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and to advance Surrey as a welcoming community for all.”

The City of Surrey was selected based on innovative and progressive initiatives offered to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace. Highlights include:

* Creating an Inclusive Employer Awards program to recognize local businesses that create welcoming environments for persons with disabilities and partnering with Avia Employment Services and Surrey WorkBC to host an inclusive hiring fair.
* Adapting the City of Surrey’s recreational sports programming to support individuals with disabilities, such as wheelchair tennis, sledge hockey, power soccer, wheelchair basketball and an “I AM Game” initiative to introduce adapted sports to a broad audience.
* Developing a pilot program to help improve the economic prosperity of Indigenous peoples, refugees and youth aging out of care — the pilot will offer residents opportunities to gain work experience with the aim of transitioning to long-term employment.

The City of Surrey was also recently recognized in a separate category as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

B.C. EVENTS: For the week of Saturday, March 2

 

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event / announcement at EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

Note: Please do not send posters and pdf’s. Just type out the event details in a simple format in your emails or they may not be accepted.

 

 

Surrey Board of Trade Lunch

 

Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister, Navdeep Bains, will be speaking at a Surrey Board of Trade Lunch, co-hosted with the South Asian Business Association (SABA), on Monday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Eaglequest Golf Course, 7778 152nd  Street, Surrey. Bains will present updates on Canada’s innovation agenda through the “Building a Nation of Innovators” Report. Time: Registration and Lunch: 11:30 a.m.; Program: 12-1:30 p.m. For more questions, contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at anita@businessinsurrey.com or at 604-340-3899.

 

Vancity, Newton BIA & LOCO BC

 

Newton Buy Local Marketing Workshop at Vancity, Cedar Hills Branch, 12820 96th Avenue, Surrey, on Monday, March 4, 6-8 p.m. Free, but registration required.

 

 

International Women’s Day

 

International Women’s Day at Muriel Arnason Library on Friday, March 8 from 2-4 p.m. Muriel Arnason Library is celebrating its annual International Women’s Day, and everyone is invited. Enjoy henna, refreshments, a draw, and a display on the most successful Canadian women in different fields. This is a free, drop-in program. Muriel Arnason Library is located in the Township of Langley Civic Facility at 20338 – 65th Avenue. Phone: 604-532-3590.

 

Surrey Truck Parking Open House

 

You are invited on Saturday, March 9, 1-4 p.m. at Surrey City Hall’s Atrium, 13450 104th Street to help create truck parking solutions. Learn more at www.surrey.ca/truckparking. Did you know that Surrey City Council has established a new task force to develop creative options and help facilitate equitable and sustainable truck parking solutions in the city? To generate practical and effective options by fall 2019, getting the input of a wide range of local truckers and stakeholders from the start is key. Knowing concerns, priorities, and ideas for solutions is the focus of the first phase of work by the Truck Parking Task Force, and their first event. Information, refreshments and input stations will be the focus at this “drop-in” meeting. Can’t make it to the open house in person? It’s not the only way to get involved. An online survey will be launched March 10-24. It will offer key information, gather preferences, and ask for ideas to help shape possible truck parking solutions in Surrey. Check back at www.surrey.ca/truckparking to participate.

 

Lohana Cultural Association of BC

 

Invites all to the occasion of Shree Jalaram Bapa’s  Punya Tithi on Saturday, March 9 at Shiv Mandir, 5600 Dorset Street, Burnaby. 6-7:30 p.m. Bhajan Kirtan followed by Priti Bhojan. For more info, call Vasant Lakhani at (604) 987-1925.

 

Mauritius’ 51st Independence Anniversary

 

Sunday, March 10, 2-5 p.m. at Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey. People of Mauritian descent, together with Canadian friends and families of Metro Vancouver, will be celebrating Mauritius’ 51st Independence Anniversary (Independence Day being March 12, 1968) at the Museum of Surrey. This commemorative event will be organized by the Mauritian Canadian Multicultural Association B.C. (MCMA), and will enable the Mauritian community to showcase the cultural fabric of Mauritius. (Follow on Facebook)

 

South Asian Seniors: Filing Income Tax Returns Free

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey informs South Asian seniors that during the tax filing period we can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2018, free of cost, through the community volunteer program of Canada Revenue Agency, from now to April 30 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria: 1.Single individual with annual income limit up to $ 35,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $ 45,000. 3. Three persons income $47,500, 4. Four persons income $50,000 , 5. Five persons or more, add $ 2,500 for additional members. Interest income not over $ 1,000 and this income will be included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income, no business or partnership income and no capital gain or loss. Sin# card and photo identity will be required as proof for documents. If you are eligible, contact Surendra Handa, Coordinatotr, at 604-507-9945 for further information.

 

Surrey Top 25 Under 25 Awards

 

The Surrey Board of Trade is looking for nominations for the 9th Annual Surrey Top 25 Under 25 Awards.  It is looking for individuals that are 25 years old or younger that are doing great things in Surrey. They could be running their own business, volunteering, working on a community or school project that has made a significant difference in Surrey. The nomination deadline is Monday, March 11. Award Criteria: * Must be working on / worked on a business or community project in Surrey (including students) and / or; * Must be working in the Surrey business community and / or; * Must be contributing / have recently contributed to a business or community related project in Surrey and; * Must be 25 years of age or younger prior to April 24, 2019. The winners will be chosen based upon a subjective analysis of their business or community achievements, leadership ability, community involvement, professional achievements and uniqueness of their business or community projects. The nomination form is available on website: businessinsurrey.com. If you have any questions about the nomination form or process, contact: Melissa Peel: melissa@businessinsurrey.com or 604-634-0347. The selected winners will be recognized at Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Awards event on Thursday, April 24, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

 

Surrey Board of Trade

 

Surrey Hot Topic on Cyber Crime and Protecting Businesses at Civic Hotel Autograph Collections, 13475 Central Avenue on Tuesday, March 12, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Free, but registration required. Cyber crime affects more and more businesses in the digital age. How can you protect your data, and businesses from hackers? Attend to voice your concerns, ask your questions, and learn the facts. Panelists include: David Izzard, Architecture & Cyber Security Manager at the City of Surrey; Calvin Engen, Director of IT at F12.net group of companies and Level4 Technologies; Victor Badejo, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at Bestbuy Canada; Saurabh Rana, Manager at PwC LLP.

 

Tsawwassen Library: Getting to Know Dementia

 

If you, a family member or friend are experiencing, or know someone who is in the early symptoms of dementia, register for Getting to Know Dementia.  Enhance your basic knowledge about dementia on Tuesday, March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tsawwassen Library and learn about the different types of support services, education and information available at any stage of the journey.  Registration required.  To register, contact the Alzheimer Society of BC at 604-449-5000 or email info.southfraser@alzheimerbc.org. If you are a caregiver or person living with dementia looking for information or assistance, call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

 

Surrey Board of Trade

 

On Wednesday, March 13, the Surrey Board of Trade will host the 10th Annual Surrey Women in Business Awards Luncheon. The winners will be announced at this event at Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, 15269 104th Avenue, Surrey. This event recognizes the hard work of Surrey’s business women and their contributions to Surrey. Coleen Christie will join as Master of Ceremonies. Networking and Registration: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Program: 12-2 p.m. Admission: $95 +GST each, $1,045 + GST for a table of 11. For further information, contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at anita@businessinsurrey.com or at 604-634-0342.

 

South Asian Health Forum

 

Living well with chronic conditions: * Diabetes * Hypertension. On Saturday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forum: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Garden Park Tower, 101 12815 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. Free parking. Register online at www.iconproject.org or on phone at 1-877-357-7611.  Jay: 604-763-6523. * Join our health experts to learn about self-management strategies to better manage your chronic conditions and prevent complications. * Nutrition, medication management, healthy living, exercise, community resources and more. * Caregiving tips and wellness strategies.

 

Neha Kakkar in Vancouver

 

Neha Kakkar who recently regaled audiences worldwide with her stint as judge at the Indian Idol Season 10, is coming with all her popular songs at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sunday, April 1. Accompanied by Indian Idol singer and talented Mumbai musicians with her latest Aankh Maare and Kaala Chashma and many more upbeat songs. Tickets available at www.vtixonline.com and www.kvpentertainers.com or call Kamal Sharma of Kamal’s Video Palace and KVP Entertainers at (604) 833-1977 or (604) 592-9777.

 

Walk for Alzheimer

 

IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer on Sunday, May 5. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. invites the public to join us. Time: Registration 9:30 a.m. / Walk 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Eaglequest Golf at Coyote Creek, 7778 152nd Street, Surrey. Website: www.walkforalzheimers.ca

 

 

(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)

OBITUARY: BIKKAR SINGH LALLI

 

June 5, 1928 to February 13, 2019

 

Dr.  Bikkar Singh Lalli, BA (Hons)’49, MA’51 (Punjab University) and PhD’66 (UBC), was born in Kotli, in Punjab. He was the first in his family to do post-secondary education. During his 42-year career, he taught at Punjab University, UBC and University of Saskatchewan. He received grants from NRC and NSERC to do research in Mathematics. A distinguished scholar, he published over 150 journal articles and was invited to lecture in about forty universities and research institutes, worldwide. He was also a visiting scholar in four countries.  In retirement, he championed education.  He served as a UBC Convocation Senator for 18 years (1999 to 2017).  He served on many other committees, including Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors, City of Surrey Seniors Advisory and Accessibility Committee, Kwantlen Foundation Board, KPU’s South Asian Community Coalition against Youth Violence, and SFU’s Komagata Maru Advisory Board. He wrote successful grant applications for seniors’ societies.  These funded a computer lab for a decade and provided workshops and trips. KPU awarded Dr. Lalli with Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) in 2011 for his community service.  His beloved presence will be missed by family and friends.

Celebration of Life and Bhog (prayers) will be held on Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. at Gurudwara Shahib York Centre, #103 7938 128th Street, Surrey.

Wilkinson’s non-apology shows he still doesn’t understand the reality of renters: NDP

Andrew Wilkinson

SINCE suggesting on Wednesday that renting was just a wacky rite of passage, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has had numerous opportunities to clarify his remarks. But so far he has refused to genuinely correct or retract his comments, said the NDP on Friday.

On Thursday, CBC reporter Justin McElroy asked Wilkinson repeatedly if he would change his comments, but Wilkinson refused to answer directly. After apparently realizing this was a bad idea, Wilkinson attempted to fix things Friday morning in interviews with Jon McComb and Stephen Quinn.

When asked if he wanted to rephrase his comments, Wilkinson said: “Sure, why not?” (CBC)

Wilkinson attempted to explain his remarks by claiming he was talking about his own experience:

“I was talking about me at age 21.” (CKNW)

“The reference to wacky was my own life experience in my twenties, so let’s not amplify this completely out of context.” (CBC)

But the record shows that while Wilkinson did bring up his own experience, he clearly believed that his own “fun” experience was universal:

“We’ve seen the same attitude with this government’s approach to rentals. “Let’s protect the renters.” I was a renter for 15 years. I lived in a dozen different rentals. It was challenging at times, but it was fun. It was part of growing up and getting better. We’ve all done it. It’s kind of a wacky time of life, but it can be really enjoyable. Being a renter is a fact of life that’s a rite of passage.” 

And instead of taking responsibility for his words, Wilkinson gave a halfhearted apology while attempting to pin blame on the renters who took offense:

“Now if people have misunderstood those remarks as talking about the fate of people throughout our society, I’m sorry.” (CBC)

“So if my remarks are taken or misconstrued, I’m sorry about that.” (CBC)

In response to Stephen Quinn’s questions, Andrew Wilkinson again implied that renting was just a phase that people should move out of:

In his response, Wilkinson said: “As I said, most people rent. I rented for 18 years. And I was fortunate enough to be able to move out of that state.”

Quinn responded: “I guess where people are having difficulty – and there was a lot of reaction to this online – you just said ‘I was fortunate enough to move out of that state.’ The suggestion is that renters are less than people who can afford to own homes.”

BC NDP Housing Minister Selina Robinson said: “The more Andrew Wilkinson talks about renters, the more it becomes clear just out how out of touch he is. Even his halfhearted attempt at apologizing further highlights how little he understands the lives of renters. Given how little he thinks of renters, it’s no surprise that he wants to strip away our government’s caps on rent increases and protections for tenants.”

New record set as Canadians lose over $121 million to scammers in 2018

CANADIANS lost over $121 million to scammers in 2018, moving up from $95 million in 2017, and more than doubling the amount from 2015.

While the losses continue to trend upwards, the percentage of victims that actually come forward to report the crime is still less than 10%, suggesting that actual losses are somewhere in the range of $3 billion this year.

“In the past, people believed scammers only targeted seniors, however, the statistics are telling a different story,’ says Danielle Primrose, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Mainland BC and representative for BBBs across Canada. “Scams are evolving – they are more aggressive, devastating, convincing and there is now a scam for everyone. Scammers are bolder than ever, which is why we need to keep informed and take proactive steps to protect our information and finances. I cannot stress enough how important it is to report every instance of scams and frauds.”

For over 25 years, BBB’s National List of Top 10 Scams has been instrumental in promoting scam awareness and fraud prevention across Canada. This year’s list was generated using key information from the BBB Scam Tracker, critical concerns highlighted by BBB’s community partners and sponsors, as well as collaborative input from the 10 BBB’s in the country and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

This year, there are three new scams that have hit the Top 10 radar, as well as one scam that has evolved and extended its impact in such a way that it has earned the number one spot.

 

The Top 10 Scams of 2018

  1. Romance scams
  2. Income tax extortion scams
  3. Online purchase scams
  4. Employment scams
  5. Phishing
  6. Subscription scams
  7. Advance fee loans
  8. Tech support scams
  9. Home improvement scams
  10. Bank investigator scams

 

For more details on the Top 10 Scams and tips to avoid them, visit bit.ly/top10scams.

Reporting scams and frauds plays a vital role in assisting law enforcement and organizations like BBB to gather accurate statistics, as well as track, apprehend and prosecute criminals. If you are a victim or you have encountered a business or offer that sounds like an illegal scheme or fraud, tell BBB about it by visiting www.bbb.org/scamtracker. Scam Tracker not only allows you to report scams, but to also identity the ones that may be operating in your area.

Make cybersecurity a priority by regularly changing the passwords to your online accounts. Using strong passwords and changing them every few months makes it difficult for scammers and hackers to gain access to confidential information. On March 15, try changing the passwords for the top 3 online accounts you would not want to get hacked. Celebrate BBB Password Day by using #bbbpasswordday to show you have changed your passwords and that you are promoting proactive cybersecurity.

 

Prime Minister Trudeau announces small cabinet shuffle

Justin Trudeau

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced the following changes within his ministry:

Lawrence MacAulay, currently Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, becomes Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, currently Minister of International Development, becomes Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Maryam Monsef retains her role as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and also becomes Minister of International Development.

The shuffle was the result of Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation as Minister of Veteran Affairs in February.

 

Air Canada’s flights to Delhi from Toronto and Vancouver operating with longer, alternative routings

 

AIR Canada’s flights to Delhi from both Toronto and Vancouver resumed last night and are operating with longer, alternative routings, Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah told The VOICE on Friday.

Return flights from Delhi to Toronto and Vancouver will also operate with alternate routings that entail a stop in Copenhagen for re-crewing and aircraft refueling.

Air Canada’s flights to Mumbai are operating as normal since the flights take a different routing.

Air Canada operates daily service from Toronto and Vancouver to Delhi and four times weekly from Toronto to Mumbai.

Earlier in the week, because of the closure of Pakistani airspace by its government, one Air Canada flight en route to Delhi on Tuesday night (February 26) turned back over the Atlantic Ocean and returned to Toronto on Wednesday, while a second flight from Vancouver to Delhi that was to depart on Tuesday night was cancelled.

Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan returns to India

Attari (Punjab) (IANS): IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistanis two days ago after his MiG-21 crashed in Pakistani territory, returned to India on Friday night.

Dressed in a blue coat, grey trousers and white shirt, he was received warmly by senior Border Security Force (BSF) officers at Zero Line that marks the India-Pakistan land border.

After the Pakistan Rangers escorted him till the border gates, one BSF officer put his arm around the Indian Air Force officer and led him away.

The air force officer looked calm as he waited for a while close to the border in Pakistani territory along with Indian High Commission officials from Islamabad and Pakistan Rangers before getting the final okay to cross over to India.

The capture of Abhinandan on Wednesday in Pakistani-administered Kashmir led to strong demands from New Delhi that he be handed over to India unharmed immediately.

US launched diplomatic effort before Varthaman’s release

Mike Pompeo

New York (IANS): The US had launched diplomatic efforts to tamp down the rising New Delhi-Islamabad tensions before Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s announcement that he was going to free the Indian pilot captured by his country and there were signs that Washington may have had advanced information about it.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that he spent “a good deal of time” on Wednesday night with leaders of both neighbours before Khan made the announcement on Thursday, calling it a goodwill gesture.

Pompeo did not say to whom he had spoken on Wednesday, but in an earlier round on Tuesday, he talked to both External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

It would appear from the timeline of events leading up to Khan’s statement about freeing the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot that US had advanced knowledge of it.

President Donald Trump said cryptically at a news conference that began at around 12.30 p.m. (Indian time) in Hanoi on Thursday: “We have, I think, reasonably attractive news from Pakistan and India… I think, hopefully, that (the confrontation) is going to be coming to an end.”

Hours later at a Pakistan National Assembly session to discuss the India-Pakistan situation that began in Islamabad at 3.30 p.m., Khan declared that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was going home to India.

Tellingly, Trump headlined the India-Pakistan issue in his statement to reporters in Hanoi, even ahead of the breakdown in talks with North Korea. He said the US had “been involved in trying to have them stop” and “been in the middle, trying to help them both out”.

Later in Manila, Pompeo made the New Delhi-Islamabad diplomacy the top item at his news conference.

He told the media that he had good conversations with leaders of India and Pakistan to ensure “there was good information exchanged” and hoped to lessen the tension on the sub-continent.

“I spent a good deal of time on the phone last night talking to leaders in both countries, making sure there was good information exchanged, encouraging each country to not take any action that would escalate and create increased risk.

“I had good conversations, and I am hopeful that we can take down the tension there, at least for the time being, so they can begin to have conversations that don’t portend risk of escalation to either of the two countries. So we’re working hard on that,” Pompeo added.

Neither Trump nor Pompeo took credit directly for Varthaman’s impending release or for Khan’s conciliatory tone, beyond the hints.

But it had echoes of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when India and Pakistan were on the brink of a major conflict and then-President Bill Clinton intervened to get Islamabad to back down.

After provoking India by sending its troops into Kargil and facing a defeat and isolation, Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appealed to Clinton for help.

Clinton “made Pakistan’s withdrawal a precondition for a settlement and the price it must pay for the US diplomatic involvement it had long sought”, according to Strobe Talbott, who was the Deputy Secretary of State then.

Then as now, the nuclear factor did not work.

The killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in a suicide bombing in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, on February 14 for which the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group claimed responsibility, created a fresh wave of revulsion in Washington and around the world sickened by terrorism.

Last week Trump made a statement that made India’s retaliation sound reasonable, when he said that he “understood” why New Delhi was seeking a strong response to the suicide bombing.

New Delhi is “looking for something strong” and “I can understand that also”.

After the Indian strike on a JeM base in Balakot, Pakistan, on Tuesday, Pompeo issued the sternest possible message to Pakistan offering a justification for the IAF’s actions by calling them “counter-terrorism actions”, a loaded phrase in international parlance.

He also mentioned “close security partnership” between the US and India.

If Islamabad had expected condemnation of India or even a measure of understanding from Washington when Qureshi called Pompeo soon after the Balakot raid, it was disappointed.

As the US negotiations with the Taliban enter a crucial phase and Washington plans to reduce the number of troops based there by half and eventually pullout completely in five years, it has to ensure that chaos on the subcontinent do not interfere with its plans.

Caregivers for B.C.’s most vulnerable get first pay increase in a decade

John Horgan

FOSTER parents, adoptive caregivers, extended family members caring for children and Community Living BC (CLBC) home-share providers will each receive a boost in support payments – the first increase in 10 years – to make life more affordable and provide more support to some of B.C.’s most-vulnerable children and adults.

“Caregivers open their homes and hearts to children and adults who need their support,” said Premier John Horgan. “For 10 years, the cost of living has steadily increased while caregiver rates have stagnated. Our government is making different choices by increasing support rates for caregivers, to make life more affordable and build stronger, more inclusive communities.”

Budget 2019 provides approximately $64 million over three years to the Ministry of Children and Family Development and $45 million over three years to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to boost monthly caregiver rates.

“I have met with so many foster parents and family caregivers, especially grandmothers, who have been struggling to provide for the children in their care. Their stories resonated with me and I knew this was the right thing to do,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “The most important thing is that children are raised in a safe, loving home, and I am proud to be part of a government that is addressing a long-standing inequity for extended families, especially Indigenous families, and investing in the well-being of all children when they need it most.”

For family members caring for children through the Extended Family Program, support will nearly double and will be paid at the same rate as foster caregivers. This increase is part of government’s commitment to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and addresses recommendations by Grand Chief Ed John.

“I am pleased the B.C. government is taking steps to address this key recommendation of my report, which identified the disparity between the caregiver rates and extended family rates as being a clear barrier to permanency for many children in care,” said Grand Chief Ed John. “Bringing these rates in line will undoubtedly lead to both an increase of permanent placements as well as an increased quality of care for children placed with extended family members. This is especially important for Indigenous children in care as it will result in greater opportunities for placements with extended family within their communities, thereby maintaining access to their culture and language.”

Budget 2019 will provide foster parents with an additional $179 each month to help cover basic necessities for children in their care, including food, shelter and clothing.

Eligible adoptive parents, many of them adding children with special needs and/or sibling groups to their families, will receive an additional $105 to $120 per month for post-adoption assistance to help meet increases in the costs of living.

“This announcement is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work that foster parents and other caregivers do to emotionally and financially support children and youth in B.C.,” said Russell Pohl, a long-time foster and adoptive parent. “It’s good to know that this government is looking out for us and valuing our contribution.”

Community Living BC home-share provider rates are based on the individual needs of the person in care. The $45 million in funding over three years is a 15% increase for the program. After 10 years without an increase in home-share provider funding, CLBC is updating the program rate structure to better align with the disability-related needs of each individual.

“Home-share promotes social inclusion and helps keep people with developmental disabilities connected to their communities,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Over the last year, we have engaged with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to look closely at CLBC supports and plot a new vision for the next 10 years. This increase recognizes the important work of home-share providers. It is long overdue, well deserved and one more step in the work we are doing with the community to create a truly accessible and inclusive province.”

CLBC will be working with home-share providers over the next few weeks to work through the details. The rate increases will vary under the new rate structure, but all home share providers will receive an increase over the next two years.

In 2018, CLBC engaged with home-share providers to find out how government can better support them in their vital work. The primary concern reported was low rates, which had not kept up with rising household costs and growing demand for the program.

Rate increases for Ministry of Children and Family Development caregivers will come into effect April 1, 2019.

 

For a breakdown of caregiver rate increases by caregiver type, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/maintenance_rate_increases_by_care_category.pdf

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