Down syndrome BC

03/04/2026

11 // The final recommendation, and the 11th recommendation directed at CLBC that has not yet been fully implemented.

In January 2025, a coroner’s inquest into the starvation death of Florence Girard issued 11 recommendations directed at Community Living BC (CLBC). We have spent the last few months breaking down each recommendation, sharing why they were made, and why it’s so imperative they be listened to and put into action. Families deserve to know.

Down Syndrome BC calls for the immediate, full implementation of all eleven jury recommendations. Anything less continues the systemic failure that led to Florence Girard’s death.

02/28/2026

9 + 10 // Florence Girard did not have a Health Care Plan in place, but evidence suggested she could have benefited from one. Evidence given during the inquest indicated that it was unclear who was ultimately responsible for overseeing Florence’s health care.

The inquest jury recommended that the Standards for Home Sharing and for the Coordination of Home Sharing be updated to include definitions for “Health Care Planning” and “Health Care Plans”. CLBC has not updated these Standards as of February 2026, more than one year after the Inquest Jury made their recommendations.

When key terms are undefined, decisions become inconsistent and accountability weakens.

We will continue to advocate for all 11 of the Inquest Jury Recommendations for CLBC to be implemented.

Down Syndrome BC calls for the immediate, full implementation of all eleven jury recommendations. Anything less continues the systemic failure that led to Florence Girard’s death.

02/26/2026

We are asking for clarity from advocates and organizations.

The new BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit and Supplement are intended to serve a broader group of children, including those with Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and other developmental disabilities. We recognize significant system change is complex and many advocates are working to represent the best interests of their communities. We understand that further refinement to the broader plan may occur AND we know that children with Down syndrome have already waited long enough. Children and youth with Down syndrome have waited many years for direct eligibility to funding and families are eager to see this access move forward as promised.

We want to be clear, stopping or pausing this new initiative will, once again, delay or halt access for so many children with disabilites who have never had access before.

Please don’t ask for the door to close, the door so many have worked so hard to open.

We are asking advocates and organizations to clarify what they are calling on government to do:
• Reverse changes to the AFU program
AND
• Proceed with the new funding model for children with other Disabilities, including Down syndrome.

Advocacy that ignores this nuance is risking that things will remain the same. And that is unacceptable.

02/17/2026

Sustained Advocacy. Thank you to everyone who has supported DSBC, written your own letters and advocated years before us. We did this together.

02/13/2026

We will continue to advocate for all 11 of the Inquest Jury Reccomendations directed at CLBC to be implemented.

In January 2025 a Coroners Inqiest into the starvation death of Florence Girard issued 11 Recommendations for Community Living BC.

Here is recommendation 7, and where things stand.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUt1mI8kpuh/?igsh=MW9kMjZrZ3g3dW5kaA==

02/10/2026

Today, our collective advocacy led to change.
After years of families, self-advocates, and community organizations calling for timely, meaningful, and equitable supports, individualized funding for people with Down syndrome in BC has been announced.

Early access to supports makes a lifelong difference.

Today we celebrate progress, and honour the advocates who came before us. DSBC will be dedicated to ensuring this funding translates into real, meaningful support for families across the province.

This is what advocacy can do.
We are Stronger, Together 💛💙

02/10/2026

This morning at 11am there will be an important announcement from Minister Wickens about future support for children and youth with disabilites in BC. Click the link to tune in and listen.

Join Minister Jodie Wickens and others for a media availability.

02/02/2026

DSBC breaks down Inquest Jury reccomendation 6. Down Syndrome BC calls for the immediate, full implementation of all eleven jury recommendations.
Anything less continues the systemic failure that led to Florence Girard’s death.

Here’s Recommendation 6 — and where things stand.



https://www.instagram.com/reel/DURJifYErTN/?igsh=MTNsbnhwNWxnM2plOQ==

01/31/2026

Attention Vancouver Parents and Caregivers:

The Vancouver DPAC’s Inclusive Education Working Group is collecting stories again to support our advocacy for the 2026-2027 VSB budget to prioritize resources aimed at learners with disabilities. Please fill out our short questionnaire and share it widely with your contacts.

As well as the VSB Budget Survey:
https://ca.research.net/r/FMG857B

The Vancouver DPAC Inclusive Education Working Group (IEWG) is a network of parents and caregivers of students with disabilities and diverse abilities enrolled in Vancouver School Board (VSB) programs. Our focus is advocating for and representing children who face barriers within the school system.....

01/20/2026

Reccomendation number 5.
Follow along as we break down the meaning behind each Inquest Jury Recommendation directed at CLBC, following the starvation death of Florence Girard.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTv3q0zEqTI/?igsh=MTYwa2x5eHpqYjY1ZA==

02/26/2025

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO ORDER YOUR 2025 WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES!

This year’s WDSD theme is “We call on all Governments to Improve Our Support Systems” and our call to action has never been louder: People with Down syndrome deserve funding! 💙

Purchase our one-of-a-kind World Down syndrome Day T-shirt or Hoodie! All sizing info can be found on our website, we have lots of images for you to see how all the different sizes fit.

Order your T-SHIRT OR HOODIE, and join together in celebrating the joy of Down syndrome! LINK 👇🏼

https://www.downsyndromebc.ca/shop

02/14/2025

The world wide theme of WDSD for 2025 is calling on Governments to improve support systems for people with Down sydnrome. Our call to action has never been louder: people with Down syndrome DESERVE Funding. With individualized funding - much like the model for autism support - comes the ability for each self advocate and family to decide what is best for them.

The ability to care for a loved one with Down syndrome in the best and most supportive ways possible, begins with funding. To ensure a future of meaningful opportunities and a life of dignity and loving care in aging years, our government must finally listen, and provide individualized funding to every person with Down syndrome in British Columbia.

Our signature slogan is back for WDSD, in yellow & blue!
Get your t-shirt or sweatshirt today, and help us advocate for change!!!

Pre-orders now live. Visit our stories, or the link to our website in our bio. All sizing info is on IG and our website. Note: sweatshirts fit snug, size up!

https://www.downsyndromebc.ca/shop