B.C. caregivers to get increase for housing developmentally disabled
Abbotsford NewsMar 01, 2019
Premier
First announced in Finance Minister
The largest increase is for relatives, typically grandparents, whose compensation increases more than 70 per cent to bring it up to the same level as foster parents. That increase was recommended by Grand Chief
Premier @jjhorgan announces first increase in 10 years to caregivers and for people with developmental disabilities #bclegpic.twitter.com/JdPayLqX9r
--Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherbc)February 28, 2019
Children and Family Development Minister
"They were taking money out of their own pockets to provide services to children that we are responsible for," Conroy said at an event at the B.C. legislature Thursday.
She also heard stories about the plight of relatives caring for children.
"An indigenous grandmother was taking care of three children, and she told me she couldn't afford to take care of all three kids. So she had to give two of her kids up to foster care, and she said she felt incredibly guilty," Conroy said. "She felt guilty about the child she kept, because she couldn't provide him the same opportunities that the foster parents were providing."
The budget includes
Horgan was asked why he was emotional about the announcement.
"All of us, and I believe all members of the legislature, get involved to make life better for British Columbians," Horgan said. "And the most vulnerable in our society are those who need a voice and need help more than anyone else. And those who provide care to those without a voice, we hear even less from because they're too busy trying to make ends meet."