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APRIL 2026

THE CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCATE

Upcoming May Network Meeting

Join the Conversation!

Help Shape First Call's 2026 Municipal Election Toolkit!

Join us on Zoom at the upcoming First Call Network Meeting on May 13th, 2026, where we’ll begin an important discussion on developing our 2026 Municipal Election Toolkit for BC’s October civic elections. This toolkit helps to centre our concerns for children, youth, and families in local election conversations across the province.

We need YOUR voice in shaping priorities, key messages, and advocacy asks for candidates!

If you're not already a subscriber, you can receive meeting details and updates, by subscribing here. Watch for notices for this meeting coming soon—this is a key opportunity to influence the local policy landscape ahead of the election.

And to get an idea of how we approached the toolkit during the last election, check it out on our website, here

First Call Out and About

Parents with children in the K-12 public school system from across the province are gearing up for the local elections in October and the chance to select school board trustees. In a workshop at the April 14th BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils conference, Executive Director Adrienne Montani had an opportunity to hear parents’ ideas for questions for candidates to include in First Call’s Municipal Election Toolkit. There was strong interest in electing trustees who will work collaboratively with parents in developing plans and policies affecting their children.

Early Childhood Development Roundtable News

It was a very full meeting agenda at the March 13th Early Childhood Development Roundtable (ECDRT), with member participants focused on shifting funding landscapes and emerging service pressures across BC. First Call is preparing a federal letter of concern following funding cuts that affect newcomer child and family programs. A draft will be shared at the June meeting before being sent to BC MPs and the relevant federal ministers.

Discussions also highlighted issues in the evolving child care system, including expanded school district involvement, concerns about equity and cultural safety for Indigenous and newcomer families; and calls for stronger wage and funding models.

Information was shared about upcoming opportunities to submit recommendations to both the federal and provincial pre-budget consultations. Ideas were also solicited for First Call’s Municipal Election Toolkit.

Health updates included news about a school-based vision screening pilot in Vancouver Coastal and Interior Health authorities, with optometrist follow-up care and the new BC Family Health Visiting Program. Thanks to all participants for sharing news and perspectives!

Signup for notifications for our ECD Roundtable Meetings here

Take Action! Campaigns and Issues!

Support a Minimum Age for Social Media

First Call has joined a growing national call for stronger protections for children online by signing an open letter urging the federal government to establish a minimum age for social media access in Canada. With rising concerns about mental health, exposure to harmful content, and online exploitation, momentum is building—three-quarters of Canadians support restricting access for youth under 16.

Add your voice. Please sign the open letter through your Google account and help ensure children’s safety and well-being are prioritized in Canada’s digital future.

Related media articles:
Manitoba set to become 1st province to ban social media for children | Global News

Manitoba to ban social media, AI chatbots for youth, premier says | CBC

B.C. supports social media ban for children, urges Ottawa to act | CHEK News

Resources

Rethinking Child Care Expansion: A School District–Led Approach

A new report, written by Eric Swanson for the Early Childhood Educators of BC and The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC proposes a major shift in how child care is expanded across BC—placing school districts at the centre of planning and coordination. The current system, which is largely market-driven and grant-based, has led to uneven access and gaps for families.

According to the report, a district-led model would better align child care with BC’s education system, helping ensure more equitable, needs-based expansion as part of a truly integrated early learning and K–12 system. » News coverage of the issue, here

New Data Shows Alarming Scale—and Growth—of Online Child Exploitation in Canada

A new Statistics Canada report underscores the urgent need to protect children online. Police reported 16,905 incidents of online child sexual exploitation in 2024 alone. While this marks a slight drop from the previous year, the long-term trend is deeply concerning: incidents have risen 347% since 2014.

Girls are disproportionately affected, making up nearly four in five victims, and reports of online luring continue to increase.

The findings highlight how digital environments are being used to harm children—and reinforce the need for stronger safeguards, prevention, and accountability across online platforms. » You can read the report here

Opening Doors: RISE Grants Help Youth in and from Care Thrive

Great news for young people in and from care: the RISE (Resilient, Inspire, Strength and Engage) grants are now open for applications. Delivered by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC), this program supports youth under 27 to participate in sport, recreation, and cultural activities—helping build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Funding (up to $800 annually) can cover program fees, equipment, and travel, with four seasonal intake periods. The program is supported by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage.

Open to ALL youth in care under 27 years old, regardless of ancestry.

» More on the grants, FAQ’s and how to apply, here

Introducing MNBC’s Youth Mental Wellness Coordinators

Métis Nation British Columbia is strengthening supports for young people with the introduction of Youth Mental Wellness Coordinators. Métis youth aged 15 to 30 can connect for help navigating resources, building meaningful connections, and finding culturally grounded support. Whether you’re looking for guidance or just someone to talk to, this initiative offers a welcoming entry point to mental wellness services.

Youth can reach out directly and connect with MNBC’s Youth Mental Wellness Coordinators at youthmentalwellness@mnbc.ca to get connected. This is an important step toward ensuring Métis youth across BC have access to responsive, community-based mental health support.

Opportunities

TRRUST Collective Young Leaders – Now Recruiting

TRRUST is inviting applications from young people in and from government care who want to use their lived experience to drive change.

Collective Young Leaders are paid for their contributions and have the chance to:

• Shape policies and practices that affect youth in and from care

• Build community with other youth who have similar experiences

• Grow skills in public speaking, leadership, and advocacy

Please share this opportunity with youth in your networks and consider posting the attached visual/poster in your programs, newsletters, and on social media.

» Interested youth: Email trrustmanager@mcs.bc.ca for more information.
» Download poster here

Child & Youth News

» B.C. children's representative says drug crisis having staggering impact on kids | Times-Colonist

» Shortage of foster homes changing how B.C.’s most vulnerable children are cared for | CTV News

» BC budget leaves significant gap in affordable childcare | City of Burnaby

» Judge convicts Langley man in child sex abuse material, luring case | Victoria News

» Opinion: 2026 B.C. budget turns its back on housing. Communities will pay price | Vancouver Sun

» Policy changes made after child burned in bath while in B.C. ministry care | CTV News

» Prince George mother upset over cuts to funding for sick kids | CTV News

» Sex offender who poses ‘significant risk’ to adolescent males released in B.C.: RCMP | CTV News

» Vancouver Island man sentenced to 9-plus years in child-exploitation case | CTV News

» B.C. school district calls for reviews of inclusive education, child care funding | Abbotsford News

» Parents, kids protest autism funding changes at B.C legislature | CTV News

» Shuttered B.C. girls school described as ‘house of horror’ at centre of class action | CTV News

» Former Nanaimo teacher jailed for possession of child exploitation material | Nanaimo News Now

» New report shows school food programs deliver strong socio-economic returns | Newswire

Calendar of Events

An Urgent Conversation: How Online Influences Are Shaping Teen Boys

And how we can support our sons in a rapidly accelerating digital world

A Free Event, hosted by Children of the Street

All day, Friday, May 15, 2026

9:00 am – 3:00 PM

In person at: Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC

Teen boys are being shaped—often invisibly—by powerful online influences that can affect identity, behaviour, and mental health. This timely session will explore how algorithm-driven media are reaching young people, and what caring adults can do in response. The discussion will focus on practical strategies to recognize warning signs, how to open up meaningful conversations, and reduce harm before it escalates. This is a conversation that can’t wait.

Learn:

• What the research says about the manosphere and incel communities, including how they function

• The warning signs that boys are becoming influenced by these ideas

• The negative impacts of consuming this content

• The best practices to reach boys to address harmful attitudes

• First-hand experience and lessons learned from sector professionals who provide prevention and intervention programming for teen boys.

Capacity is limited, and registration is required.

Please register here

Support us in our research and advocacy by donating today.

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society is a registered CRA charity.

#772217469 RR 0001

Please Donate Today

Upcoming First Call Meetings & Events

Please RSVP to info@firstcallbc.org and we'll send you the meeting link.

You can also subscribe to meeting announcements here.

First Call Network Meeting

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026

9:15am-11:30am - Via Zoom

Early Childhood Development Roundtable

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

9:30am-12:00pm - Via Zoom

Subscribe Here to Our Meetings and Newsletter!

About First Call

First Call's work is guided by the 4 Keys to Success for Children and Youth

1. A Strong Commitment to Early Childhood Development

2. Support in Transitions from Childhood to Youth to Adulthood

3. Increased Economic Equality

4. Safe and Caring Communities

Learn More About the 4 Keys to Success

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society is a registered charity in British Columbia. We conduct research and analysis on child and youth rights and well-being, offer education and training events, and make policy recommendations to promote, strengthen and defend the rights of children and youth in BC.

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