Youth need to have a place and be welcomed in their community, including having options to volunteers and contribute in ways that are important to them. All children and youth need friendly communities where they are encouraged to participate and that support them and their families as they grow.

Current Issues

December 2011: First Call is part of a group of organization calling for a ban on the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides in BC. Read the statement in support of a ban.

December 2009: First Call supports the call for a province-wide legislated ban on the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides. Find out more about this campaign.

October 2009: What's Happening to Our Children?: A Look at Work-Related Injury Claims in BC Over the Past 10 Years examines the startling increase in the number of workplace injury claims accepted by WorkSafeBC since BC's work-start age was lowered to 12 in 2003. Read First Call's letter in response to our meeting with the Minister of Labour on this issue, and visit the nochildlabour.org campaign website.

June 2009: Canada's third report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is overdue. The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children has prepared a list of priorities for Canada's implementation of the Convention.

January 2009: First Call has written a letter to Prime Minister Harper in support of the repatriation of former child soldier Omar Khadr.

First Call is a signator to an open letter to Senators in support of repealing section 43 of the criminal code which excuses the physical "correction" of children.

On April 9, 2008 First Call unanimously passed a resolution in support of Jordan's Principle, a child-first approach to resolving government jurisdictional disputes. We are now working to ensure that the provincial government takes action on their commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of Aboriginal children through implementation of Jordan's Principle.

First Call's Resolution in Support of Jordan's Principle

Letter to Premier Campbell urging the implementation of Jordan's Principle through legislation

First Call is a signator to an open letter to Senators in support of repealing section 43 of the criminal code which excuses the physical "correction" of children.

Advocacy Tools from the Federation of Community Social Services of BC (2010)
Also download Communications and Message Recommendations from the Roundtable of Provincial Social Services.

What's Happening to Our Children?: A Look at Work-Related Injury Claims in BC Over the Past 10 Years (2009)
This report examines the startling increase in the number of workplace injury claims accepted by WorkSafeBC since BC's work-start age was lowered to 12 in 2003.

The Many Faces of Advocacy for Children and Youth: 2007/2008 Provincial Forums in Five BC Communities (2009)
First Call and the BC Centre for Safe Schools and communities met with 180 community representatives from various regions across British Columbia to learn how to best support the healthy development of BC's children and youth. This report outlines the findings from these community dialogue sessions.

Backgrounder on New IQ 70 Limit to Eligibility for Provincial Community Living Supports (2008)
By Dawn Steele of Moms on the Move.

Amanda, Savannah, Rowen and Serena: From Loss to Learning (2008)
BC's Representative for Children and Youth reports on the deaths of four children from Northern BC involved with the child protection system. The report recommends strengthening practice and supervision in assessing child safety and encourages learning from preventable deaths.

Broken Promises: Parents Speak Out About BC's Child Welfare System (2008)
This report from Pivot Legal Society is based on interviews with parents, service providers, social workers, and lawyers. It depicts a provincial child welfare system that is in crisis and is failing to support families in caring for their children in the home.

Improving the Mental Health of Young Children (2007)
Prepared for BC Healthy Child Development Alliance by Dr. Charlotte Waddell, this paper describes the high prevalence of mental health disorders in children, the shortfalls in current programs and services, and the impact on children and society.

Economic Security Project Research on Safe and Caring Communities (2006)
First Call is a partner in the Economic Security Project, a join initiative of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Simon Fraser University. The document provides an overview of the findings from the Economic Security Project that focus on public policy affecting safe and caring communities for children and families in BC.