Comments on BC Throne Speech

The summer is coming to an end – and what a glorious one it has been in BC. BCHLA has been busy over the summer with completion of our policy paper “Healthy Futures for BC Families” which we shall launch on September 15th, lots of activities with our 15 initiatives, and ever increasing activity with our Twitter followers including our most recent Facts and Snaps Contest!

In yesterday’s Speech from the Throne at the opening of the BC Legislature sitting, there were several areas where we were pleased to see the government’s commitment – early learning and early childhood development, neighbourhood learning centres, affordable market housing, solutions to put housing into First Nations communities and to take First Nations students into post secondary training and the inclusion of First Nations in the important decision-making.

These are all priorities that BCHLA has emphasized in our work to improve the health of all British Columbians.

At the same time we are concerned about the reductions in grants and contributions as many of the activities which encourage healthy living in BC are carried out by partners rather than government itself, and are good examples of new ways of doing things that deliver quality services at lower costs – something else the government wants to pursue.

So there is much work to be done to sustain BC as a “province whose healthy lifestyle has led to one of the world’s longest life expectancies and best qualities of life for those who live here.”

Mary Collins
Director, BC Healthy Living Alliance Secretariat
August 24, 2009