Gary Coons

(Prince Rupert facilitators, supporters, and participants of the International FASD Awareness Day)

Every year on September 9th, International FASD Awareness Day is observed.  Proclamations are issued in countries, states, provinces, and towns all around the world.  Bells are rung at 9:09 a.m. in every time zone from New Zealand to Alaska.  People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).  The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99.  This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol.  Anytime is a good time to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

B.C. Children’s Minister Mary Polak faced a new round of criticism yesterday for sacking the senior advisers to two programs that help disabled children. Read the rest of this entry →

VICTORIA – The BC Liberals’ decision to cut the Infant Development Program will hurt families who have children with disabilities, especially those living in First Nations communities and in remote areas said New Democrat Gary Coons today. Read the rest of this entry →

B.C. Children’s Minister Mary Polak faced a new round of criticism yesterday for sacking the senior advisers to two programs that help disabled children.

Already under attack for autism cuts, Polak plans to terminate the provincial adviser to the supported child development program at the end of the month. The adviser to the infant development program will be gone by the end of the year. Read the rest of this entry →

Coons Comments:

This is great news for those in Skidegate that really need childcare. The $280,000 in capital funding is a good start but hopefully there won’t be a struggle to find and retain qualified people to staff the extra child care spaces and to staff at levels that are acceptable to ensure quality child care exists. Hopefully additional government yearly funding is freed up to staff the new spaces. Read the rest of this entry →