Ref: 172049
Melanie Filiatrault
President
British Columbia Federation of Foster Parent Associations
200
-
7342 Winston St
Bumaby BC V5A2H1
Dear Melanie:
Thank you for your letter in which you enquire about mileage rates for foster parents, the use
of the $100 climate action dividend for which children-in-care will be eligible, and the status
of your request for legislated “rights” for foster parents.
With respect to mileage rates for foster parents, these were increased in 2007. While the
budget for 2008/2009 does not contain funds for mileage rates, it does have an increase in
monthly maintenance rates and service payments. I understand that the increasing cost of gas
and the 2008 carbon tax will result in additional expenses for foster parents. I will ask ministry
staff to take this into consideration when developing budget requests for the 2009/2010 fiscal
year.
With respect to the $100 per person climate action dividend that the government announced
with the 2008/2009 budget, this will be available for the benefit of children-in-care. A decision
on how the money will be used has not been made. Over the next few months, ministry staff
will develop options on how the money can be best utilized. Your input will be welcome.
With respect to the proposal for a set of formal rights for foster parents, the ministry supports
the concept, but does not think that “rights” for foster parents need to be legislated. The
ministry will work collaboratively with the provincial Foster Parent Retention Committee to
develop a set of “rights” based on your proposal. The Guide to Foster Care in British
Columbia will be revised and re-printed in 2008/2009 and will include the set of rights that
this collaborative process produces.
Thank you again for writing to me and I look forward to a continuation of the positive working
relationship with the Federation.
I
Sincerely
,
Tom Christensen
Minister
