Globe and Mail, 20-Feb-2017 Liberals’ pile of surplus cash masks serious deficit in services By Justine Hunter On Monday, B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong will make his regular pilgrimage to the Olde Towne Shoe Repair shop in Victoria, where …
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Vancouver Sun: Number of B.C. kids-in-care deaths, critical injuries jump dramatically
NDP critic Melanie Mark, though, called the numbers “shocking,” and hopes the rising tally of injuries and deaths will force the ministry to follow some of the advocate’s recommendations, such as hiring more social workers. “The number (of deaths and …
Times Colonist: System failed Métis teen, child-welfare: report
Melanie Mark, the NDP’s spokesperson on children’s issues, said the government sounds likes a “broken record” in responding to child-welfare tragedies. “We’ve been hearing time and time again from the minister that they’re going to improve, they’re going to make …
Huffington Post Canada: Alex Gervais, Metis Teen Who Took His Own Life, Was ‘Abandoned’ By Gov’t: Report
“NDP children’s critic Melanie Mark said the government had years to place Gervais in a home with family members, but chose to leave him with strangers who were interested in making money and not looking out for the teen’s well-being.” …
Melanie Mark on APTN
Melanie speaks with Cheryl McKenzie about why she decided to go in to politics and advocate for systemic change. Watch the video here
News Talk 770: NDP MLA urges Premier to change throne speech date to honour Women’s Memorial March
An NDP MLA is requesting that Christy Clark change the legislature’s first day in session after the winter break. Vancouver Mount Pleasant’s Melanie Mark says she’s asking the Premier to change the date because it coincides with the Annual Women’s …
CBC News: Vancouver woman with disability facing homelessness after waiting for B.C. Housing for 7 years
Karen Norton, 54, has primary progressive MS and needs to leave her place by the end of January. Karen Norton says she has been waiting to get into B.C. Housing since 2009. Her need for housing has become more desperate after she was handed …
CBC News: Dramatic increase in train traffic through East Vancouver, Strathcona residents concerned CN line crosses many busy streets
Last night, a number of concerned residents gathered to discuss what they could do next. The MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant Melanie Mark was in attendance. “There’s a disruption in quality of life and you have to think about the environment,” …
Can you hold, please: How long is too long when reporting child abuse or neglect?
Social workers with B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development say callers trying to report child abuse or neglect are waiting too long to get help. …Opposition critic Melanie Mark, the B.C. NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, says the workers’ complaints …
Globe and Mail: Vancouver grants two-week reprieve to tent-city residents
Melanie Mark, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, called on the B.C. government to take action on the issue of affordable housing. “Tent cities, whether they’re in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford or Victoria, show us how desperate the situation for affordable housing …