With the release of the 2010/ 2011 Provincial Budget, the Government of Alberta has demonstrated an intent to balance the need for continued investment in Alberta with our current economic climate. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations especially recognizes and appreciates the government's efforts to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society - the homeless, seniors, and people with disabilities.
In this budget, the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations identifies a trend of diminishing investment in communities and community groups. This trend is most obvious in the loss of over $35Million from the Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit, a cut of 15 percent, and continues in planned decreases to community based funding within other ministries. The result of the government's declining investment in the nonprofit sector exacerbates the fiscal challenges stemming from the economic downturn and threatens the sector's ability to deliver the services Albertans rely upon.
We also note with interest a shift in the funding allocation process away from application based programs and towards ministry-selected initiatives in the area of capital funding. Over the last three years there has been a decrease of over $400Million in capital funding for nonprofit organizations, which, when combined with the evolving funding processes, makes it increasingly difficult for nonprofits to access this essential funding.
The Alberta Advantage is not only Alberta's wealth, employment opportunities and natural beauty, but also the quality of life found here as a result of a strong community sector and vibrant cultural scene. If the trend of decreasing community investment continues, the Alberta Advantage will be lost due to a lower quality of life for all Albertans now and in the future.
For a comparison of some of the changes to community program funds in the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 budgets as allocated through Culture & Community Spirit and other ministries, please view ECVO's budget comparison chart at http://www.ecvo.ca/images/stories/alberta_2010-11_budget_community_funding.pdf. The chart does not reflect all of the funding available to community groups or all of the programs that have been impacted by budget cuts.
For more information, please contact Russ Dahms, Executive Director, at 780.428.5487 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
