Children and Families ~ School districts ~ will lose funding

Ministry of Children and Family Development on southern Vancouver Island face a cut of 18 employees over the next three years.

The Liberals in opposition used to rant and demand the then government spend more for the protection of Children. In Government the Campbell Liberals have slashed the budget over 300 million dollars. On South Vancouver Island this year they were 1.3 million over spent. The Ministry has said they have to be on budget next year. To do that Ministry senior management are looking at trimming 18 positions.

This is on top of 58 position lost in this area alone in 2002 and 2003.

These cuts would put the safety of the most vulnerable children in BC at increased risk. It is no wonder the Liberals did not want to debate the budget. This information would have come out in the debate and clearly the Liberals have many things they are trying to hide.

Education funding will fall after this year as well. This year's school district budget increased province wide by $150 million. But look forward to 2006 and 2007 it will rise by only $20 million each year. That increase will not cover inflation, let alone increases costs projected because of the Liberal governments mandated increases in Hydro or heating costs.