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First Call Updates
Welcome to the Single Mothers’ Alliance of BC
We are excited to announce that we have a new First Call Coalition Partner, The Single Mothers’ Alliance of BC (SMA). The SMA is an alliance of a broad diversity of single mothers. They connect across their unique identities and diverse experiences as single mothers to find common ground, build community, and advocate for change, for themselves and for their children. They have been an incorporated non-profit since June 2014.
You can learn more about their work at www.singlemothersbc.org and read about their launch in this Georgia Straight article, “Single Mothers’ Alliance of B.C. forms to fight child poverty”.
Federal Budget Brief: A call for a budget that pays attention to Canada’s children
In August, First Call submitted a budget brief calling on the House of Commons to make sure the 2015 federal budget prioritizes:
1. Improving supports for young families and their children
2. Reducing income inequality and health inequities in Canada
3. Better supports for Canadian youth
4. Reducing exposures to environmental toxins
We strongly recommended against implementing proposed changes in tax policy to allow income splitting for families with children under 18, as this would overwhelmingly benefit higher income families and increase income inequality.
We also recommended that all budget measures be assessed for their impacts on children and youth, and especially for impacts on members of particularly vulnerable groups. The following First Call partners and allies have also submitted briefs:
Response from Minister Cadieux to First Call letter supporting youth aging out of care report
The BC Minister of Children and Family Development, Stephanie Cadieux, responded positively to First Call’s letter supporting the BC Representative for Children and Youth’s recent report On Their Own, which examines the needs of youth aging out of foster care.
In her response, she highlighted that “It is through the reports of the Representative for Children and Youth, First Call, and other studies that we are able to target the work of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).” She listed a number of recent ministry initiatives and partnerships focused on achieving improved transitions for youth.
However, her response did not say whether government would be acting on the specific recommendations in Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report, such as the extension of the foster care for some youth up to the age of 25.
We will continue to engage with the government on this issue and will share what we learn in future First Call Updates.
Read Minister Cadieux’s full response
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Campaigns & Urgent Actions
Call to action – Bill C-585 threatens social assistance for refugee claimants
Bill C-585 is a federal private member’s bill that has serious implications for the income security of refugee claimants and other people without permanent status in Canada. If passed, the bill would allow provinces to restrict access to social assistance benefits for these groups by imposing minimum residency requirements for eligibility.
First Call maintains that the well-being of children in refugee claimant families is a major concern, given the stressful and even traumatic circumstances they often have experienced prior to arriving in Canada. Any moves to further restrict access to income security for these families, while they await a decision on their applications for asylum, can only add to their vulnerability.
Taking action now is critical because Bill C-585 is scheduled to be debated at second reading on September 16, 2014. Expressing opposition before this date could lead to the bill being defeated or withdrawn.
Take Action: See this Information and Action Kit in English or French, to help you understand and respond to Bill C-585. It includes a backgrounder, a template letter to MPs and actions to oppose this bill.
Regional organizers needed for Chew on This! poverty reduction event
On October 17, 2014 – the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – volunteers across Canada will distribute 15,000 lunch bags printed with the words “Chew on This!” The bags will include an apple, information on hunger in Canada, and a postcard that can be sent to the Prime Minister calling for a national poverty action plan.
Who is involved? Frontline food-bank volunteers, regional anti-poverty coalitions, and the two national organizations behind Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada, Canada Without Poverty and Citizens for Public Justice.
Take Action: Email Janelle@cpj.ca to be put on the mailing list for organizers or click here for more info
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First Call Meetings and Events
Calculating the living wage: free webinar for local communities
September 9, 2014. 12 pm-1 pm (PDT)
For more information click here
To register for the webinar fill in this form
Next First Call Coalition Meeting:
Sept 10, 9:15am - 11:30am
Find more information and RSVP here.
Next Early Child Development Roundtable:
Sept 17, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Find more information and RSVP here.
2014 Child Poverty Report Card
Press Conference:
November 25. Time and location TBC.
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Correspondence and Publications
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First Call's work is guided by the 4 Keys to Success for Children and Youth:
1. A Strong Commitment to Early Childhood Development
2. Support in Transitions from Childhood to Youth to Adulthood
3. Increased Economic Equality
4. Safe and Caring Communities
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This month we sadly said farewell to Michael McCarthy Flynn, our Living Wage for Families Campaign Organizer. He and his family are returning to Ireland for the near future. Michael’s legacy work in building a strong and vibrant Living Wage Campaign has been invaluable. We sent him off with much appreciation for his contributions, best wishes for the days ahead and a determination to keep the Campaign growing.
