Community-based organizations asking for funding increase, multi-year commitments

Community-based organizations (CBOs) in Saskatchewan want a bit more stability in their books, and they’re asking for it from the provincial government.

On Monday, representatives from a few different CBOs were at the legislative building to present the first petitions to the government asking for more funding and for multi-year funding commitments.

Trish Patey works for the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit. She says the increased funding is important for the group to be able to keep its programming going.

She explained the group’s money for day service has been cut. Patey explained that the unit previously would attend domestic violence calls with police and then follow up with the families and the kids over the next few days.

“So now, the responsibility falls on other agencies to follow up with these women and children who are in domestic violence situations,” said Patey.

Other workers at the legislature on Monday said they’re also looking for funding commitments from the government that are more than one year long, saying that predictability is required to be able to attract and keep staff, as well as plan ahead for programming.

Annette Welsch, with the Nipawin-based CBO Handi-Works, said workers can really see it when the money is lacking.

“Not having our funding up there hurts our clients and that’s where we’re trying to put our work into. That’s what our job is, is to work for them and to give them the best quality of life they deserve. And with lack of funding comes lack of what they deserve,” explained Welsch.

During Question Period in the assembly, Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said the government increased CBO funding by $10.4 million last year. However, Patey said that money, when it’s spread between the more than 200 CBOs in the province, doesn’t go very far.

Merriman said he understands the concerns the organizations are bringing up.

“I understand that there are needs,” he said. “They want to have something predictable so they can set out their budget for multiple years. It is something that we’re considering, and I want to make sure that the community-based organizations understand that we are looking at this.”

Merriman said the government wanted to make sure it’s taking care of the employees, and also those using the organizations.