February, 2010
Volunteer Alberta
News Flash Budget 2010
Falling
resource revenues have forced the Government of Alberta to make some
choices in its 2010 Budget. Overall, the approach taken in the budget
increases health care spending by $2 billion at the expense of most other
government programs and services. Fourteen Alberta ministries have
had their budgets cut, including a 15% reduction for Alberta Culture and
Community Spirit.
Government departments whose
work involves volunteer-engaging organizations – whether using them for
service delivery or supporting them through grants – have been caught in
this fiscal squeeze. Many programs will experience funding
decreases. Some are spared cuts, but will receive zero increase in
funding, meaning no adjustments for inflation or demand.
Delving into just one program
as an example, Budget 2010 calls for a decrease of $2.5 million for the
Community Initiatives Program (CIP) – a cut of 9%. This follows a 25%
reduction in grant dollars available to the voluntary sector in last year’s
budget. This will translate into less funding available for nonprofit
and voluntary groups such as local hockey teams, boys and girls clubs,
community leagues, and community services for seniors.
This Sector Connector provides
some numbers in brief. Capturing the entire budgetary impact on the
nonprofit/voluntary sector (including PDD providing agencies, environmental
awareness organizations, provincial sports organizations, drop-in centers)
across the GOA is a massive task. Here are four links to more
detailed information:
- A short cut to listing CCS program funding
decreases
- Minister Blackett’s budget summary can be found here
- Culture and Community Spirit’s estimates (a summary of estimated expenses by department) is here.
- The GOA 2010-2011 budget in full
The overall orientation signals
a need for increased public conversation about the importance of the
nonprofit/voluntary sector and its role in building Alberta.
A key focus of the Government
of Alberta this year will be on improving Alberta’s ability to compete
internationally in the 21st century. We can talk all we
want, and we can spend billions of dollars creating an attractive economic
climate. But in the end, to attract people, businesses and investment
we need a healthy investment in Alberta’s social capital.
We all know that living in
Alberta has its benefits – many of which are the direct result of Alberta’s
19,000 nonprofit/voluntary organizations. People place value on having
things in their communities such as minor sports teams, boys and girls
clubs, community and neighborhood leagues and organizations like 4H.
It's these local groups and
organizations that give our communities a high quality of life and make our
province a great place to live, work and raise a family. Investment
in this social capital makes Alberta’s communities enjoyable to live
in. This is often what seals the deal in attracting new businesses,
industries and citizens.
We all know that in the
nonprofit/voluntary sector a little money goes a long way. There
isn’t any fat to trim. As the government examines Alberta’s long-term
competitiveness, re-investment in the nonprofit/voluntary sector needs to
be a serious part of the discussion. Volunteer Alberta will be
working to contribute to this discussion in the weeks and months
ahead.
In the meantime, the proposed
cuts to grant programs and government departments may have significant
impacts in our communities.
Volunteer Alberta needs to hear
from nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations on the potential impact of
program funding cuts. Let
us know how this will affect your organization and your community.
|
