Conservative election platform shows big work ahead for sector

Mamie Hutt-Temoana

The BC Conservatives released their election platform today, the first party to reveal its plans if elected.

It’s a good reminder of the big job facing those who believe the community social services sector and the difference it makes in so many lives - and in the future of the province.

The Conservative platform is 24 pages long, and detailed in many areas. There are plans for budgeting and incomes and health and education.

But there is nothing about providing people in communities with the help and support they need.

The closest the platform comes even to acknowledging the sector are these two paragraphs.

“Strong and loving families are the bedrock of our communities – and are deserving of support from society and government,” says the platform. “We believe in a strong social-safety net for those who truly need assistance, and at the same time we encourage individuals to be productive and self- sufficient.”

Draw two conclusions from the platform’s lack of any plans for the sector or improving supports for seniors, children, families, people with disabilities - the some 320,000 people who will need help in any given year, even if briefly.

First, the sector has failed to make the case to the Conservatives - the party and the candidates - that its work is important. That every $1 invested in early child development brings $3 to $18 in benefits later in life, or that home care support costs 25% to 60% less than residential care. 

The platform, for example, calls for more spending on the justice system. But it does not recognize that our sector, working with youth at risk or dealing with addiction, keeps people out of the system, while making communities safer. Or that it costs $215,000 to keep a youth in custody, versus $20,000 to support them in the community.

And second, the sector and its supporters have failed to demonstrate to the Conservatives that this is an issue that matters to voters.

There is no reason to single the Conservatives out. We don’t yet know if three other main parties will address the sector’s importance, and its challenges, in their platforms.

But it’s a reminder that the elections is two months away.

The sector and its supporters need to use that time to ensure that all parties and candidates understands its importance and the issue it now faces.

That takes action. 

Write the parties, and your local candidates, and share facts about the sector and the support you are seeking. (This blog and the Community Counts Facebook page are good resources. The Tyee election website has contact information for local candidates.)

Write letters to the editor to make the same points.

Attend candidates’ forums, and speak to friends and neighbours.

So far, we haven’t done a good enough job of getting our message out.

That needs to change.

Mamie Hutt-Temoana is the executive director of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC.