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Uncovering the secret world of waste water PAGE 13
SFU women 2nd at conference champs
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They did the mash The Monster Mash: It was
a graveyard smash, and it caught on in a flash – a flash mob, that is. The Shadbolt centre caught the Halloween spirit with a special edition of the Monster Mash on Saturday, Oct. 26. See photos and video at www. burnabynow. com. Photos by Jason Lang/ burnaby now
For more photos and video, scan with
Funding shortfall frightens families Jennifer Moreau staff reporter
When Wendy Tremblay received a seemingly innocuous call from her brotherin-law George, telling her they needed to buy bread, she was floored. “A year ago, George didn’t know how to dial a phone. To me that was mind blowing,” she said. George Tremblay, who has an intellectual disability, is one of many people who receive help from the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion. He’s been con-
nected to the organization for two decades, he’s learned some basic life skills – how to use a phone, for instance – and he’s employed in a work program where he earns some money. To Wendy and her husband Dan, the support BACI offers people like George is invaluable, and local families are upset and worried those resources are under threat, thanks to a funding shortfall resulting from what Burnaby MLAs describe as a case of bad faith bargaining from the provincial government. But the Tremblays aren’t the only family with serious concerns about BACI, and whether the group is receiving proper
funding to help what they describe as the most vulnerable people in society. At least five families with loved ones connected to BACI have formed an ad hoc group called All Families First, and they are upset at what they see as chronic underfunding on behalf of the government. Burnaby resident Sonya Wachowski is also part of All Families First. Sonya has a sister, Moordryd, who has learned to navigate the public transit system on her own, with the help of BACI. Sonya wants a full life for Moordryd, where she can work, and share her gifts with society. But with continual underfunding, Sonya has serious
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concerns about BACI’s staffing. “I’m worried that with these continued cuts, the staff are going to be so demoralized, good people are going to be lost, … good people that care about my sister are going to leave this profession, … and what are we going to be left with? The worst case scenario is groups like BACI end up disappearing.” BACI’s latest funding issue is connected to confusion around the bargaining table with the provincial government. Social service groups like BACI were under the
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