More money for children in B.C. budget (Canada)

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/story/bc_budget20060221.html

The B.C. government says child protection is its priority in this year's budget, and has announced plans to increase spending on a host of programs for children at risk and families.

RELATED: B.C. Budget 2006
Finance Minister Carole Taylor says the government will spend $421 million over the next four years to improve child protection services, and Children and Family Development ministry spending will climb back to a level above what it was before the cuts in 2001.

"Every budget is an opportunity for our province to take another step forward," said Taylor. "The first budget in our renewed mandate focused on seniors. Today, I'm pleased to take another step forward with a budget designed to improve services for children."

The increases include include $100 million for children at risk, $36 million to reduce waitlists for special needs kids, $72 million to hire more social workers and $2 million to help combat crystal meth – all over the next four years.

This comes in the wake of months of criticism of the government's handling of child protection, and the controversy surrounding the death of 19-month-old Sherry Charlie.