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Do The Right Thing

We’re asking for your help as voters and citizens of BC.
The pre–74 survivors need your help.

Let your MLA know that you support compensation for all victims of Woodlands abuse.

David Klein and Shauna Tucker were in court on January 27, 2010 seeking approval of a class action settlement on behalf of former residents of Woodlands, a residential facility operated by the Province of British Columbia in New Westminster for mentally disabled children and adults. Many of the residents suffered terrible abuse while living there.

The Provincial Government needs to be reminded that it must also accept responsibility for Woodlands residents who were abused before 1974. Although it might seem otherwise, writing letters to politicians does help. Our goal is to let them know that voters do care about the abandoned Woodlands survivors.

Please write to your MLA (and send copies to the Premier, the Attorney General and the Minister of Health Services) to show your support for pre-1974 Woodlands survivors. Let them know that you expect your tax dollars to be spent in a way that reflects your values. Let your MLA know that:

  • Two independent investigations concluded that there was widespread physical and sexual abuse at Woodlands.
  • You want the government to include all victims of abuse at Woodlands, which it could easily do.
  • You expect your tax dollars to be spent in a way that reflects your values.
  • Just as the government accepted liability in 1974, it can extend its liability to before 1974.
  • Most of the 500 Woodlands survivors who are not being compensated live in poverty.
  • The oldest, most fragile residents who have waited the longest to have their abuse recognized are effectively being told that nobody cares about what they went through in what was supposed to be a safe place.

Contacting your MLA, the Premier and Cabinet Ministers is easy.

You can find your local MLA by clicking here: www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm
The Premier and Cabinet Ministers can be found here:

Hon. Christy Clark
Premier
Room 156
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC, V8V 1X4
Phone: (250) 387-1715
Fax: (250) 387-0087
Email:
Premier@gov.bc.ca		 Hon. Suzanne Anton
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
PO Box 9044
Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Phone: 250-387-1866
Fax: 250-387-6411
Email: suzanne.anton.mla@leg.bc.ca		 Honorable Don McRae
Minister of Social Development and Social InnovationPO Box 9058
Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Phone: 250-356-7750
Fax: 250-356-7292
Email: SDSI.minister@gov.bc.ca

 

For more information on the Woodlands campaign please contact one of the Klein Lawyers lawyers or visit the “We Survived Woodlands Group” website at www.wesurvivedwoodlands.org and the BC Coalition for People with Disabilities at //www.bccpd.bc.ca/woodlandsupdate.htm.

David Klein carried the torch for the survivors of the infamous Woodlands School.

“Having the honor of carrying the Olympic torch is like a dream come true for me,” said Klein, who has represented former Woodlands residents against the government of BC.

“It’s also an honor for me to dedicate my run to the survivors of that infamous institution — those who just now are starting to find justice, and especially those that are still waiting.”

Thank you for your support.