The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is currently seeking a Programs Administrator.

This position works to ensure the 25 Friendship centers throughout the province feel supported with
their efforts to serve the urban Indigenous Communities in which they live, work, and play. This is done
by ensuring they are supported in their contracts, reporting and funding that is administered through
the BCAAFC.

The provincial government has tabled legislative amendments to the Human Rights Code that will “re-establish a human rights commission for B.C. to promote and protect human rights for all British Columbians”.

DABC is pleased to hear about the tabling of this important legislation impacting the lives of British Columbians with disabilities and other marginalized groups.

From the government’s news release:

“B.C.’s former commission was dismantled in 2002. It is currently the only province in Canada that does not have such a body. The proposed Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2018 will create an independent human rights commissioner who reports to the legislative assembly. The commissioner will have the key functions of educating British Columbians on human rights, as well as examining and addressing issues of discrimination. The commissioner will have the mandate to develop educational tools, policies and guidelines to promote human rights and combat widespread patterns of inequality and discrimination in society.”

To read the full news release, please click here.

To clarify the Woodlands compensation process, the provincial government has issued the following information bulletin:

                                     Are you a former resident of Woodlands?

If you were a resident of Woodlands, also known as Woodlands Institution and Woodlands School, in New Westminster, B.C., you may be eligible for a payment from the provincial government.

This payment will not impact any benefits you may receive or income for tax purposes.

The process to determine eligibility is very simple, and you will not be asked to talk about your experience at Woodlands.

You will be asked to provide the following information:
o Full name;
o Date of birth;
o Address; and
o The name and address of your legal guardian if you have one.

To determine if you are eligible, you or your guardian or caregiver can call toll free 1 888 523-7192 or woodlands.care.facility.residents@gov.bc.ca.

People who resided at Woodlands prior to August 1, 1974 will receive $10,000 in an ex-gratia payment. In addition, people who resided in Woodlands after August 1, 1974 will receive up to a maximum of $10,000.

This payment is separate from the previous Woodlands class action. If you received a payment under that class action, you may still be eligible up to a combined maximum of $10,000. Payments can only be made to former residents who are still living and will not be made to a deceased resident’s estate.

For information on the March announcement, please visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0013-000547

To download the bulletin, please click here.