Federation of Community Social Services of BC News Clippings

News Clippings

June 26, 2017

1. British Columbia\’s New Democrats say they will introduce an amended motion to today\’s Throne Speech debate that aims to defeat Premier Christy Clark\’s minority Liberal government with a vote likely to take place on Thursday.

2. Many people—Liberal MLA\’s included—were stunned at the avalanche of promises and spending that tumbled out of the Throne Speech last week and many people feel the abrupt about-face has \”torched\” the credibility of Christy Clark and Mike de Jong.

3. Canada has a new tool to help solve the youth homelessness puzzle, which assesses youths’ risk of homelessness and identifies needed supports through a strengths-based approach.

4. Provincial statistics reveal that one in five youth in BC need mental health or substance use services, and less than 25 percent are getting the help they need.

5. As legalization nears and access becomes easier, mental-health experts are reiterating and underscoring the dangers of cannabis use for teens and youth.

6. The province of BC is launching a new Aboriginal family court program that it says will keep families together and reduce the number of Indigenous children in government care.

7. The third annual Aboriginal Cultural Festival drew more than 30,000 visitors and featured more than 30 performances from artists before wrapped up last weekend at the Royal BC Museum grounds.

8. A widow talks to CBC News about the guilt and shame that took her husband\’s life and reflects on what’s missing from drug treatment and prevention approaches in Canada.

9. A Vancouver woman says she was forced to buy drugs from the Downtown Eastside when her doctor stopped prescribing opioids (for pain following knee surgery) in response to new standards aimed at preventing fatal overdoses.

10. An op-ed in the Vancouver Sun checks in on changes to sexual violence and misconduct policies on university campuses and argues that monitoring sexual abuse goes a long way in helping to prevent it.

11. A refugee settled in Langley is thankful for his second chance at life and gives credit to a BC settlement worker with shared heritage who helped him adjust to Canadian culture.

12. By spring 2018, downtown Terrace, BC will have its first aboriginal-centred daycare, and if all goes according to plan, the new facility will cost less than other care providers in town.