WHEREAS individuals who have lifelong disabilities but have an IQ over 70 are exempt from support services that would enhance their quality of life and decrease overall spending; AND WHEREAS the BC Court of Appeal has rejected the Province of British Columbias attempts to use the IQ 70 criteria and has advised the Province to create a new eligibility process: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the provincial and federal governments to redistribute funding to focus on providing support services to children and adults with lifelong disabilities.
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT The B.C. Court of Appeal upheld a decision made by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the Ministry of Children and Family Development Ministry and Community Living British Columbia CLBC did not have the authority to use IQ 70 as the only factor for determining eligibility for support services. In response to the Supreme Court decision, the Ministry is reviewing the current eligibility process. At the same time, the Ministry is working in co-operation with CLBC and other ministries to explore options for providing services to vulnerable adults with lifelong disabilities.