An NDP government would order an independent review of the Crown agency that delivers services to adults with developmental disabilities, said Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James.
The party has been calling for a review of Community Living B.C. since it came under fire two years ago for pushing people out of group homes and cutting services to young people with disabilities once they turn 19.
Liberal Social Development Minister Harry Bloy was demoted during the scandal, CLBC’s chief executive officer departed, and the government ordered a review by a team of deputy ministers. The final report led to an injection of about $40 million into the agency and a 12-point plan to improve services.
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James, who served as social development critic in Opposition, said she appreciates the work done by the deputy ministers.
“I think we’ve got some good work that can be built on,” she said. “But it still wasn’t a truly independent review, and that’s what we need.
“The parents that I talk to, and the service-providers that I talk to, say that they want an independent review by somebody that isn’t in government now.”
The NDP platform contains no cost estimate of the review.
“We don’t think it would be a huge cost, because we don’t think it needs to be a long process,” James said.
Faith Bodnar, executive director of the advocacy organization, Inclusion B.C., said her organization and other community groups need to be part of developing the framework for a review.
“We think that a review is essential and that it will strengthen CLBC,” she said.
Bodnar cautioned, however, that the party that wins the election will need to deal with a growing gap in services for people with developmental disabilities.
“We’re hearing more and more about desperate situations across B.C., people coming for service and being told there’s no money for it,” she said.
Inclusion B.C. says the system requires a $75-million injection to clear the backlog, and $40 million to $50 million a year to keep up with new demand.
The NDP previously promised an additional $35 million over three years to strengthen CLBC and provide more services.
Bodnar said the money, while welcome, would not come close to easing pressures on the system.
