Photo Gallery Minister of Housing and Social Development

Vancouver – June 9, 2008 – Minister Claude Richmond (right) along with Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon (left) and Wolfgang Zimmermann, National Institute for Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) Executive Director, announce $1 million in funding to help persons with disabilities return to their places of work. NIDMAR will use the funding to promote and enhance return-to-work and disability management programs with both municipal and private-sector employers.  

Click Here for Video

VICTORIA - May 8, 2008 - Ministers Claude Richmond and Murray Coell announce a $3-million provincial grant to the University of Victoria's CanAssist to expand their technology program and help more people with disabilities. (l to r) CanAssist researchers Leo Spalteholz and Sunny Mahajan, Minister Richmond, MLA John Nuraney, MLA Valerie Roddick, CanAssist director Nigel Livingston, CanAssist client Dan Spelt, Minister Coell, MLA Richard T. Lee, MLA Lorne Mayencourt and MLA Harry Bloy.
Click Here for Video

Minister Richmond speaks about CanAssist's creative technology solutions that are helping British Columbians with disabilities, including Dan Spelt (far right) who is working with CanAssist researcher Leo Spalteholz (middle) to develop the Dynamic Onscreen Keyboard.

(Left to right) Ministers Richmond and Coell test CanAssist’s Dynamic Onscreen Keyboard with the help of Leo Spalteholz.

VICTORIA – April 30, 2008 - Minister Claude Richmond is joined by (from left to right) Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan and Sharon Miller and Ken Loehr, both employees at the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sharon and Ken demonstrate the type of assistive aids that British Columbians with a hearing loss may receive thanks to the one-time $500,000 Provincial grant to the Western Institute.
Click Here for Video

(Left to right) MLA Sultan, Sharon Miller, Communications Aid Specialist, Ken Loehr, Senior Technician for Communication Aids, Susan Masters, WIDHH Executive Director, and Minister Richmond.

(Left to right) Sharon Miller, Ken Loehr and Minister Richmond test a vibrating alarm clock with a flashing light.

Dawson Creek - April 23, 2008 - Minister Richmond is joined by Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South and staff of the new Gateway Dental Clinic in Dawson Creek. The clinic, made possible by a $300,000 grant from the provincial government, provides dental services to low-income residents. (l-r) Dr. Veronika Ciastko, Dentist, Ramona Dunsire, Receptionist, Meghan Banner, Hygienist, Minister Richmond, Christina Collins, Certified Dental Assistant, and MLA Lekstrom.

(l-r) Dr. Alastair Nicoll, President, BC Dental Association, Ms. Jocelyn Johnston, Executive Director, BC Dental Association, Meghan Banner, Hygienist, Christina Collins, Certified Dental Assistant, Minister Richard Neufeld, Dr. Veronika Ciastko, Dentist, MLA Blair Lekstrom, Cherie Nelson, Dental Assistant, Ramona Dunsire, Receptionist and Minister Richmond.

Victoria – April 15, 2008 – Minister Richmond is joined by Minister Chong to announce a $2-million grant to the BC Non-Profit Housing Association to help low-income families settle into their new homes. From left to right, Andrew Leach, CEO Aboriginal Housing Management Association, Claude Richmond, Karen Stone, Executive Director of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services.

VICTORIA - April 10, 2008 - Announcing a one-time grant of $500,000 to Communication Assistance for Young Adults (CAYA) to expand their program Minister Claude Richmond and Shirley Bond, Minister of Education are joined by (left to right) Lois Turner CAYA, Cory Fisher and Scott Wilson, CAYA clients, Simon Cox, BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports, Jeff Riley CAYA Communications Manager.
Click Here for Video

VICTORIA – April 2, 2008 – The province is investing more than $230,000 in educational supports for adults and pre-schoolers. Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, along with Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville, display the contents of the Adult Basic Education Back-to-School Starter Kit. The kits will be given to income assistance clients who have made the decision to upgrade their education. Minister Richmond also announced that 700 families with pre-schoolers will be given three monthly bus passes to encourage them to take their children to the StrongStart BC centre in their community. StrongStart BC centres help prepare pre-schoolers to be successful in school. Click Here for speech

VANCOUVER – February 20, 2008 - (R-L) Minister Claude Richmond is joined by federal Minister Monte Solberg and Minister Colin Hansen to sign historic labour market agreements giving British Columbia the unprecedented opportunity to create a "made-in-B.C." system of employment services that best meet the province's unique labour market priorities and local training needs. The agreements are worth over $2 billion over the next six years. (read more...)

VANCOUVER – January 29, 2008 – To celebrate the launch of the first Multicultural Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities in the Chinese community in Canada, Minister Claude Richmond is joined by (from left to right) Bill Beatty, SUCCESS, Tom Burnell, THEO BC, Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer, Ken Tung, SUCCESS, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, and Tung Chan, SUCCESS.
Click here for news release

Tung Chan, CEO of SUCCESS, presents Minister Richmond with a gift created by a Metis artist who, as a SUCCESS graduate with a disability, has been successful with marketing and selling his art.

VICTORIA - November 28, 2007 - Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance presents Kathy Newman, Executive Director, BC Wheelchair Sports Association with the keys to a brand new van, specially modified to transport wheelchair athletes and their equipment to events throughout British Columbia and Western North America. The van was purchased as part of a $225,000 grant the Ministry provided to the BC Wheelchair Sport Association to increase access to sporting opportunities for wheelchair athletes.
Click Here for Video

Minister Claude Richmond and Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg participate in a pick-up wheelchair rugby match at the back steps of the Legislative Assembly in Victoria on November 28, 2007. Sports specific wheelchairs, including ones for wheelchair rugby, can cost upwards of $3,000 each. The BC Wheelchair Sports Association will be able to purchase up 50 new sports wheelchairs as part of a $225,000 grant provided to them by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

KAMLOOPS - October 11, 2007 - Minister Claude Richmond (far right) is joined by Betty Hinton, MP for Kamloops, Tim Rogers, B.C. and Yukon Hotel Association (far left), and Doug Wittal, DW Builders (second from left), for the announcement of the $9.7-million Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.

VANCOUVER – October 4, 2007 – Minister Claude Richmond announces the $4.2 million funding grant to the Communication Assistance for Young Adults (CAYA) program through the BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports. Minister Richmond is joined by (from left to right) Melinda Rundel, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Minister Carole Taylor, and Ashleigh Dukoff, CAYA client.

TECHNOLOGY GRANT IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE FOR DISABLED

VICTORIA, July 16, 2007

Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond and Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen present the $750,000 grant to Nigel Livingston, Director of CanAssist (centre of cheque). They are joined by (from far left to right) Minister Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Martin Taylor, Vice-President of Research at the University of Victoria, and Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell.

April Proudlove, who has helped CanAssist with the Dynamic Onscreen Keyboard project as a client and volunteer, talks to Minister Claude Richmond through her Litewriter speech machine.

A CanAssist volunteer and Nigel Livingston, Director, demonstrate the eye-tracking communication system to (from left to right) Ministers Chong, Christensen, Richmond and Coell.

NEW WESTMINSTER, June 22, 2007

The Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, addresses dignitaries and guests during a dedication ceremony at the Woodlands Memorial Garden, officially opening the garden to the public. News Release

VANCOUVER, June 18, 2007

Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, is joined by (from left to right) Ian Ferguson, President of WCG, Dale Buote, False Creek Design Ltd., Phyllis Knudsen, Jr. Designer, Mayor Sam Sullivan, Lorne Mayencourt, MLA for Vancouver-Burrard, Gregory Pyc, Neil Squire Society, Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North, and Tom Burnell, THEO BC, to announce the new $20 million Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities.

(From left to right) Mayor Sam Sullivan, Minister Richmond, Gregory Pyc, and MLA Mayencourt.

(From left to right) Mayor Sam Sullivan, Minister Richmond, MLA Mayencourt, Gregory Pyc, MLA Lee, and Tom Burnell.

PROVINCE INVESTS $1.14 MILLION IN ACCESSIBLE TOURISM

VANCOUVER, May 18, 2007

Announcing a $1.14 million grant for 2010 Legacies Now to make British Columbia more accessible for tourists with disabilities, the Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, is joined by (from left) Stephanie Cadieux from the BC Paraplegic Association, His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, Carla Qualtrough from 2010 Legacies Now, the Honourable Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, and Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North.

(From right to left) Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North, Honourable Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, and Stephanie Cadieux from the BC Paraplegic Association.

87 UNITS BEING BUILT DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER TO HELP HOMELESS

VANCOUVER, May 18, 2007

The model for Kindred Place, an 87-unit supportive housing project to help the homeless and those with addictions, is unveiled by (from left to right) Ed Fast, MP for Abbotsford, Peter Dueck, Vice Chair of More than A Roof Mennonite Housing Society, His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, Linda Thomas, Director of Housing from Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance.

$2-Million Grant Enhances Access to Mobility Aids and Devices

BURNABY, May 8, 2007

Operating for more than 50 years, the Medical Equipment Loan Service offers - at no charge - short-term loans of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and bathroom aids to help British Columbians recovering for temporary injuries due to injuries, illnesses or surgeries. These services are provided from 100 locations across the province, staffed by over 850 volunteers.

STUDENTS BRUSH UP TO PROMOTE BC HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM

KAMLOOPS, April 13, 2007

The Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance is joined by the Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister of State for Mining, Dr. Holly Schwieger, dentist and Jody Dobroshinsky's grade one class at AE Perry Elementary School in Kamloops to announce the re-launch of the $17-million BC Healthy Kids Program. The BC Healthy Kids Program helps low-income families with costs associated with basic dental care and prescription glasses for their children.

B.C. MEASURES UP TO CHALLENGE WITH $2-MILLION GRANT

KAMLOOPS, April 12, 2007

The Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance is joined by (from left to right) Al Etmanski from 2010 Legacies Now, Vern Short, a local disability advocate and Terry Lake, Mayor of Kamloops to announce the Province's investment in a $2 million Accessibility and Inclusion Fund to support community projects aimed at assisting British Columbians with disabilities to become more active and independent.

$223 MILLION FOR LABOUR MARKET AGREEMENTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

BURNABY, February 16, 2007

The Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance is joined by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Federal Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Mr. Keith Knight and Ms Maninder Sanghera during the announcement of the extension of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities at the Neil Squire Society.

DECEMBER 2006 PROCLAIMED "PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES MONTH"

Minister of Employment and Income Assistance, Claude Richmond holds up proclamation with Frank S. Borowicz, QC, Chairman, Vancouver Board of Trade and Co-chair, Spirit of Vancouver. Link to Proclamation. (Photo by Dave Roels)

The Vancouver Board of Trade's "Beyond Barriers: Celebration of International Day of Disabled Persons" event. Roundtable discussion focused on how employment and participation are keys for inclusion of people with disabilities. Link to 10 x10 Challenge website: http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/epwd/10by10

Panel members from left to right: Moderator Al Etamanski, Director of Accessibility Initiatives, 2010 Legacies Now; His Worship, Mayor Sam Sullivan, City of Vancouver; The Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance; Kevin Evans, Vice President, Western Canada, Retail Council of Canada and Vice Chair, BC Small Business Roundtable; and Carla Qualtrough, Director, Sport Tourism and Inclusion Initiatives, 2010 Legacies Now and President, Canadian Paralympic Committee. (Photo by Dave Roels).

MINISTER VISITS BCITS OPEN HOUSE

On September 26, Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond spoke at an open house held by the BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities (BCITS). BCITS is a newly created community based centre of excellence which houses two important programs - the Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP) and Technology for Independent Living (TIL). These programs provide technical supports to meet the functional needs of people with disabilities so they can engage in employment, volunteer work, recreation or cultural activities.

Above pictured from left to right: Don Danbrook, a member of the BCITS Board of Directors and a BCITS client, Simon Cox, Executive Director of BCITS, Minister Richmond and Cathy Grant, a client of BCITS.

TOURING DOWNTOWN VICTORIA WITH REV. AL TYSICK AND REV. DAVID STEWART

On October 17, Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond toured downtown Victoria with Reverend Al Tysick and Reverend David Stewart of the Our Place Society. In addition to Our Place, they visited other agencies serving the homeless in Victoria including Pacifica Housing, Victoria Cool Aid Society, Streetlink Emergency Shelter and AIDS Society of Victoria.

NEW EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MEANS MORE JOB SUCCESS

On July 26, 2006 Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond successfully launches the government's new $35-million BC Employment Program at WCG International's JobWave office in Kamloops.

Read more > >

Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond cuts a cake to celebrate WCG International's grand opening of its newest JobWave office in Kamloops - July 26, 2006.

B.C. GOVERNMENT BOOSTS DISABILITY FUND TO $25 MILLION

The provincial government is investing another $5 million in the Disability Supports for Employment Fund, raising it to a total of $25 million. The fund is managed in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation to help non-profit community organizations purchase disability employment supports for persons with disabilities in the workforce. Above: Minister Richmond presents $5 million to Faye Wightman, CEO and President of Vancouver Foundation

Read more > >

Anita Prosser, a beneficiary of the Disability Supports for Employment Fund, gives Minister Claude Richmond and Burnaby-North MLA Richard Lee a demonstration of a computer specially designed for those with visual impairments at the Neil Squire Society's Assistive Technology for Employment Centre in Burnaby, June 27, 2006.

Minister Claude Richmond and Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney at the event announcing the provincial government's $5 million dollar boost to the $20-million Disability Supports for Employment Fund at the Neil Squire Society on June 27, 2006.

$4.2 MILLION GIVES SENIORS SOCIETY KEYS TO HOME

VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell, Minister Claude Richmond and friends of Vancouver's 411 Seniors Centre Society celebrate a $4.2 million provincial grant enabling the Society to purchase the building at 411 Dunsmuir Street - their home for more than 30 years.

Above Pictured from left to right: 411 Seniors Centre Society Executive Director Margaret Coates, Premier Campbell, 411 Society Lifetime Member Eunice Pearon and Minister Richmond.

Read more > >

Celebration photo with Premier Gordon Campbell, Minister Claude Richmond, Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong, Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt, along with Executive Director Margaret Coates and many Lifetime Members of the 411 Society.

MINISTRY SUPPORTS DENTAL CARE FOR VICTORIA'S MOST VULNERABLE

VICTORIA - The city's most vulnerable residents have more to smile about thanks to a one-time grant of $49,000 to the Victoria Cool Aid Society's Dental Clinic.

Minister Claude Richmond presented the cheque to Cool Aid Society executive director Kathy Stinson to purchase new equipment for the clinic.

The clinic provides relief of pain and follow-up dental services to hundreds of low-income people every year.

The grant was one of seven one-time contributions to emergency dental clinics throughout the province, totalling $219,700.

MINISTRY CELEBRATES TRIUMPH'S 1000TH JOB PLACEMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Minister Richmond shaking hands with Renaissance Cabinets' employee Joe LaDoucer, who was recognized as Triumph Vocational Services'1000th employment success story. Triumph, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, provides persons with disabilities who want to work, with the skills and the supports they need to find a job.

Minister Richmond observes Renaissance Cabinets'employee, Joe LaDoucer at work while employer Azeem Virjee looks on.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS

Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond speaks with Don Danbrook of the Neil Squire Society about assistive technologies in the workplace for persons with disabilities. The foundation's assistive technologies lab - supported by the government's $20 million Disability Supports for Employment Fund which is administered by the Vancouver Foundation - includes such equipment as the Morse code puffer which permits word processing with breath alone. Looking on are Yasmin Juma, the foundation's Employment Programs for Persons with Disabilities executive administrator and Tejindar Parhar from the Ministry.

Read more > >

CREATING A CULTURE OF INCLUSION IN B.C. BUSINESS

Minister Claude Richmond visits staff at the WorkAble Solutions display during the annual meeting of the Union of BC Municipalities in Vancouver, September 28. The marketing team was at the event to inform some of the province's largest employers: B.C.'s local governments. From left: Minister Richmond, policy analyst Rachael Ross, marketer Michael Currie, and strategic partnerships manager Steve Reid.

Read more > >

PROVINCE SUPPORTS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE DENTAL CLINIC

A new Prince George pain control dental clinic will become a reality in the new year thanks to a one-time $50,000 grant from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

On hand at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre to announce the funding on November 29 were: Prince George North MLA Pat Bell (far right) and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, second from left. Receiving the donation on behalf of the clinic are Dr. Richard Wilczek and Carol Whitmer.

Read more > >