Community Living BC fired CEO Rick Mowles Friday after months of controversy surrounding the government appointed organization.
The organization responsible for providing services for disabled adults has been criticized recently over its decision to move clients out of group homes and into private residences.
CLBC Board Chair Denise Turner is downplaying any connection between recent problems in the organization and the firing.
"There's never a good time to let a good person go," Turner said. "We considered it very carefully and made a decision for the direction of the organization. It has nothing to do with what's going on outside."
Moms on the Move, an advocate group for families of individuals with special needs, said the change of leadership won't make a difference. Co-administrator Dawn Steele said the "crisis in community living" is due to a lack of funding, not leadership.
"Unless the new CEO can turn paper into money or cure developmental disabilities, I don't see how that's going to really make a dent in the problem," Steele said.
Advocates for people with disabilities estimate it will take an immediate investment of $70 million to begin addressing the shortfall in services.
In September, B.C.'s former Minister of Social Development Harry Bloy announced an extra $6 million in funding for CLBC, an amount advocates called a slap in the face. Bloy was fired after the public protested the lack of government support.
In light of Mowles being let go, the BC NDP is calling for a full review of the organization.
"The government has found someone to blame for the crisis that they created. The people paying the price are adults with developmental disabilities and their families," BC NDP leader Adrian Dix said.
Mowles will be replaced by CLBC Vice President Doug Wollard.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
