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2002/03 Annual Service
Plan Report
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and
Women's Services |
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Message from the Minister of State for
Women's Equality
As the Minister of State for Women's Equality, my priority is to
build and maintain sustainable programs for women and children escaping
violence, and to develop a child care system that supports families,
children and child-care providers throughout British Columbia.
Our accomplishments over the past year demonstrate our commitment
to these priorities. Our new web-based Women's Directory is one
of our government's most frequently visited web sites. It provides
a comprehensive list of programs offered by government for women,
or used primarily by women.
Over the past year, we have maintained the budget for transition
houses, safe homes and second stage housing. More than 12,000 women
and children escaping violence found shelter in our transition houses
and safe home programs. We also maintained the budget for Stopping
the Violence counselling for women who experienced violence and
children who witnessed abuse. We continue to work with transition
house service providers to improve how we fund these critical services.
I believe that child care is essential for parents to participate
in the labour force, and obtain education and training. Parents
must have child care options, and those options must be sustainable,
equitable and available in the future for all British Columbians.
Our new long-term sustainable child care strategy includes programs
to support child care providers and parents, in a fair and equitable
way. Funding is consistent and predictable. The strategy is part
of our New Era commitment to support the availability of
child care spaces, providing families with child care options.
In November 2002, we announced the new Child Care Operating Funding
Program which made many child care providers eligible for operating
funding from the government for the first time. The program also
substantially increases the number of child care spaces eligible
for provincial government funding. We also increased capital funding
for the construction of new child care centres.
We remain committed to ensuring government programs address issues
relating to women's economic and social equity. I will continue
to work to ensure women are safe in their communities, and that
child care will be sustainable in the future for BC families.
Honourable Lynn Stephens
Minister of State for Women's Equality
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