The Family Court Committee was concerned with the low salaries of the
highly qualified, experienced and dedicated employees at Horizon, Kincaid
and Shaft, 20 - 30% Jess than those paid to equivalent government
employees. Our local services are contracted with the government, ,being
bound by the limit of money made available by the iNinistry, whereas
salaries for government emp loyees are negotiated by the 8.C.G.E.U.

These services already face the uncertainty of being unable to budget for
more than one year at a time, as contracts are renewed annually. This
was further complicated this year as the Ministry did not announce this
year's allocation of funds untii 6 months into the fiscal year. Some
services had even to arrange loans to meet their October Payroll as
Operating funds sti] had not been received. For thecpast two years “the
increase in funding has been considerably tower than that of the cost of

living index (6% last year).

At the most recent meeting of the New Hestminster Family Court Committee,
a motion was passed unanimously to support District No. 42 Committee's
stand and to write to the Minister accordingly. It also recommended that
the plight of these services to children be given top priority by the

1980 Committee,

Date and location of the Public Hearing will be made available following

the next meeting of District 43 Family Court Committee, November 29, 1979,

(For further information please contact Sheila Francis)

Chairperson - 461-6790 or 939-6666,