ELECTION VOICES - April 21, 2009

"Our jails are overcrowded. Our job functions have increased dramatically in the past five years. We've gone from a 20:1 inmate-to staff-ratio to 60:1, in my facility.

"There's a lot of daily violent episodes now. That wasn't the case five or more years ago.

"I think the public would be horrified to know that people are not getting the treatment or rehabilitation they need. People in the jails need quality health services including dental; they need counselling and addiction treatment.

"Those services are limited and stretched to capacity already. Further, this government is not addressing the root elements of why people are committing crimes. I will vote for change."

"Since Campbell came to power things have gone from bad to worse for child care. First, he cancelled the $7 a day school-aged child care program. Then he cut $40 million from the child care budget.

"His government only began to replace these cuts with federal child care transfer funds. And, when Harper cancelled these transfer payments, BC was the only province to pass the cuts onto families, children and child care workers.

"Child care is in crisis. Parent fees are sky high. Wages are so low that qualified early childhood educators are forced to leave the field and wait lists can be years long.

"Children, families and child care workers deserve better!"

Click to download PDF file of comic