MEDIA RELEASE

The Caring Community:
Accounting for the Impacts of
Provincial Government Changes

March 30, 2005 - For Immediate Release.

The Community Reconstruction Project is a three-year
study of the impacts of the changes in provincial govern-
ment policy and programs within BC’s Capital Region.
The Final Report, released March 30, 2005, describes
those impacts and the steps necessary to repair the
harmful impacts.

Twenty-eight not-for-profit agencies that provide social services
in British Columbia’s Capital region participated in the study.
Participating agencies include providers of services in rural and
urban areas to families, women, children, youth, First Nations
people, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, and
people living in poverty. Twice a year during the study, these
agencies completed surveys and met to discuss findings,
strategies and recommendations.

Community Reconstruction Project findings show
extensive evidence of harmful impacts on vulnerable
populations and on the capacity of all of the participating
agencies. There was some evidence of helpful impacts
affecting discrete populations.

The boards, staff and volunteers of the participating
agencies are concerned about the negative outcomes
of many of the provincial government’s changes.
They identify the key government changes made since
2002 that most impacted vulnerable people, agency
services and the community as a whole. The report
includes recommendations by participating agencies
for redressing the most damaging impacts.

The full version (25 pages) of The Caring Community:
Accounting for the Impacts of Provincial Government
Changes and a summary version (6 pages) is available
on the Community Council website.

The Community Reconstruction Project is an initiative of the
Community Council, funded by the United Way of Greater Victoria
and supported by a Steering Committee composed of a broad
range of individuals and organizational representatives.

For further information please contact:

Christina Peacock, Community Council, tel (250) 383-6166

Maureen Duncan, United Way of Greater Victoria, tel (250) 385-6708

Val Green, Volunteer Victoria, tel (250) 386-2269

-30-

Communications Manager
Community Council
1144 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3K8
Tel: 250-383-6166 Fax: 250-385-6712 email: christina@communitycouncil.ca
www.communitycouncil.ca www.qolchallenge.ca