October 28, Day of Action - MOMS

MOMS needs you!
Support our provincial day of protest: Oct. 28
In 2005, BC Premier Gordon Campbell promised to build the best system of supports for children with special
needs in Canada. Despite huge provincial surpluses, he failed to fix major gaps and waitlists. Now he’s cutting
services.
So we’re asking moms and dads to stand up and remind the Premier of his promises to BC’s children.
Join our provincial day of action on Wednesday October 28.
WHY:
 Eliminating early intensive intervention programs.
 Denying therapy to children who can’t pay thousands of dollars each year out of pocket.
 Eliminating staff who deliver Infant Development, Aboriginal IDP and Supported Child Care services.
 $32 million cuts to provincial staff who manage & deliver kids’ programs; $3.6 million cuts to front-line
services; cuts to children in care, childcare, FASD prevention, even Special Olympics.
 No assessment of risks and impacts of these cuts and no consultation with families.
 Denial of special education in public schools - forcing families to pay privately.
 Despite promised changes, youths with special needs still denied vital supports on the basis of IQ.
We CAN afford better: The Premier’s 2009 budget includes $14 billion for new capital projects. Millions are
still being wasted on endless restructuring. Alberta still funds up to $60,000 in therapy for all children under
18 despite a larger deficit than BC’s. British Columbians don’t want the budget balanced on the backs of
vulnerable children. These foolish cuts will destroy lives and cost far more in the long run.
THE ACTION:
What: Small groups gather at high-traffic locations throughout the province with signs and banners & later
deliver hundreds of balloons to MLA offices representing the fragile young lives hurt by broken promises.
When: 7:30 – 8:30 am (morning rush hour) on Wednesday Oct. 28 (or as specified by local groups)
Where: Vancouver, North Van, Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna and other communities – anywhere that a local
group of families wants to join us & do their own thing).
Who: This is a family-led initiative, but anyone is welcome to join in support
No-Nos: (No traffic disruption, no kids near traffic, no disorderly conduct, keep it non-partisan, law abiding,
respectful & focussed on children’s issues vs. things like Olympics or HST. Safety first, please!)
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
 Join the groups already planned for North Van, Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria, Kelowna & Kamloops
 Organise or participate in a simultaneous action in another community
If you can participate, please e-mail Cyndi Gerlach ASAP at momsonthemove@telus.net. Please invite other
families, friends, neighbours, concerned citizens, professionals and service providers to join in!
Thank you!
Militant Moms on the Move
momsonthemove@telus.net
http://momsnetwork.ca/



Everything you need to participate or check out MOMs actions around the province on October 28. The more groups and people who join us, the stronger message we send to Victoria, so please contact us at MomsOnTheMove@telus.net if you wish to add another location or join one listed below!

If you can't make it in person, you can still participate by emailing a letter to Premier Campbell urging him to honour his promises to BC's children. Or call your MLA on Wednesday to express your support
http://momsnetwork.ca/