VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for children and family development, welcomed the news that the federal government is providing funding for the Huu-ay-aht Social Services Project. The funding will support vital community services like pregnancy support and parenting education, hiring family and protection support workers, and developing opportunities for youth engagement and awareness.
“I am very hopeful that this funding will help keep more families together,” said Furstenau.
“As Minister Philpott has said, Indigenous child apprehension is a humanitarian crisis in this country. Removing children from their families can cause trauma that stays with them for the rest of their lives. We must learn from the reprehensible harm caused by residential schools and do everything we can to support families and communities to be able to stay together. Funding programs like the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project is the best chance we have at turning the tide on the absolutely unacceptable number of Indigenous children in care.
“I am delighted that this program will receive more resources and that it has the support of the B.C. government. I look forward to working with the Minister of Children and Family Development to explore more ways to advance reconciliation and help B.C. families stay together.”
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