B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was on hand in June, 2003, for the launch of the childhood development program Success by Six. B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was on hand in June, 2003, for the launch of the childhood development program Success by Six. (B.C. government)

The B.C. government has come under fire following word that funding has been cut for a province-wide early childhood development program.

The program, called Success by 6, was launched seven years ago in a partnership that included the government, the United Way and credit unions. It has branches around the province to help parents with everything from childhood nutrition to literacy.

"The cancellation of this program will have a devastating effect on organizations already stripped to the bone by this government's cuts," NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis said in the legislature Wednesday. "This is one more blow to communities."

'None of us expected that'— Success by 6 co-ordinator Jan White

Success by 6 regional co-ordinators have been told by email or phone that their government funding will end in one year.

Part of program might be saved

Jan White, the co-ordinator of the program for southern Vancouver Island, learned by email that the funding would end as of March 2011.

"I think that some of us expected a reduction in our funding given the economic times," White said. "But none of us expected the provincial government to pull out as a partner. None of us expected that."

The minister for Children and Family Development, Mary Polak, said some elements of the program might be salvaged.

"We will continue to work with Success by 6 as we look for opportunities to transition some of their programs in these difficult times."

But White said that, despite the minister's statement, the program's fate appears certain.

"We have been given direction provincially by our larger partnership that we will be winding down Success by 6 provincially."

$27 million spent

One MLA demanded the decision be rescinded.

"Success By 6 has … become an indispensable resource for families in rural and especially aboriginal communities," said the NDP's Gary Coons. "Will the minister admit this was a bad decision [and] reverse the cut?"

Polak said $27 million had been invested in Success by 6 since its inception, and that more than $1 billion would be spent in the next year alone on other programs benefiting B.C. children.