For
Immediate Release
June 21, 2004
At Queen’s Park today, Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling
demanded that the McGuinty government reverse a decision to hijack $5.5 million
that has previously been earmarked for the province’s charities and
not-for-profit groups.
“Hundreds of local projects that would have improved the
well being of communities across the province will never happen because of the
government’s decision to slash the Ontario Trillium Foundation budget,”
Sterling charged. “This will hit the volunteer groups and charities especially
hard. It’s nothing short of highway robbery.”
Last Thursday in the legislature, Sterling asked Premier
Dalton McGuinty why he cut millions from the Trillium Foundation’s budget. The
Foundation provides grants to support charities and volunteers working on
important community projects. The Premier appeared unaware of the cutback and
asked Finance Minister Greg Sorbara to respond. Mr. Sorbara replied that there
was a cutback but that it is “all part of running a more efficient and more
effective government.”
Sterling said a close look at the government’s recently
released spending plans for 2004-05 contradict Mr. Sorbara’s claim. Instead of
restraint at the Ministry of Culture, funding has been increased by $15 million,
about 60 percent, for the Ontario Arts Council (OAC). Sterling demanded that
Culture Minister Madeleine Meilleur explain why her government is increasing
funding for the Arts Council at the expense of the Trillium Foundation.
“The Trillium Foundation has been a critical source of
support for key local projects, especially in the smaller, less densely
populated areas of our province,” Sterling said. “With this decision, the
government is abandoning the good work hundreds of community volunteers are
doing to help seniors, youth and many others across Ontario. It’s a
disgrace.”
The previous government earmarked $100 million annually to
charities when their ability to fundraise through such activities as raffles and
bingos faced new competition from expanded gaming. “The Trillium Foundation
gave them fair compensation. It’s a scandal this government is pocketing the
gaming revenue that had previously been designated for charity and volunteer
groups,” Sterling said.
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For more information, please call: MPP Norm Sterling at (613) 253-1171 or (416) 314-7900