Cuts to civil society are being proposed in the Alberta government’s 2021 provincial Budget, tabled on February 25, 2021.
The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) and the Federation of Calgary Communities (FCC) are concerned about these planned reductions, especially those to the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP).
This is not the first time CFEP has seen a decrease in funding:
- 2020 Budget – 27% cut made
- 2021 Budget – 26% cut proposed
= close to 50% reduction of funding available to communities over just two years
These much needed funds support the building and lifecycle of recreation amenities in Alberta’s two largest cities, including:
- 130 community halls in Edmonton
- 101 community halls in Calgary
- 100s of ice rinks
- 100s of playgrounds
These facilities provide much needed recreational and cultural spaces to Albertans.
Discussions about this element of the budget is set for Monday (March 15, 2021).
In advance of that, EFCL and FCC came together to outline our concerns for the Government of Alberta (GoA) on March 8, 2021.
Honourable Minister Aheer,
RE: Provincial Budget Concerns
Thank you for sending your email on Thursday, Feb 25, 2021 at 3:42 pm entitled “Budget 2021 Highlights”. The email provides eight bullets, highlighting the Alberta government’s commitment to the non-profit sector. On the surface it appears a positive news story. For example,
• $64.4 million in grant funding for community and voluntary support services. This includes $18.5 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program, $37.1 million for the Community Initiatives Program (which includes Major Cultural and Sporting Events, Multiculturalism, Indigenous and Inclusion Grant, Culture Days, and others) and $6.8 million for Major Fairs. The Other Initiatives Program provides $2 million in funding.
However, The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) and the Federation of Calgary Communities (The Federation) continue to be concerned about cuts to civil society and, in particular, to the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). Looking at CFEP, the current budget shows a significant defunding as illustrated in this chart:
This is a clear erosion of essential funding appearing to devalue community-based infrastructure.
The CFEP program has supported the building and life cycling of 130 community halls in Edmonton and 101 in Calgary, hundreds of ice rinks, playgrounds and other recreation amenities in our two largest cities.
These facilities provide much needed recreational and cultural spaces to Albertans. These organizations provide services and social supports, often at a neighbourhood level and are usually run solely by volunteers. Municipal capital funding and fundraising alone can not achieve the financial resources needed to lifecycle these important pieces of community infrastructure. We worry that the loss of local based infrastructure will have significant repercussions to social cohesion and to the stability and health of all Albertans.
It is important to note that 2020 saw civil unrest across North America as citizens expressed their rights to be heard, and sometimes, not in a constructive manner. Our federations are unique, in that our members provide a mechanism for citizens to be heard at a community level, enabling citizens to engage in constructive ways within their communities and with decision makers. Cuts to funding will most certainly disrupt these engagement efforts.
The next portion of that same bullet addresses Community Initiatives Program (CIP). It is hard to know if it is an increase or if it is a decrease, as many line items have been added.
We would like a transparent breakdown of the $37,100,000 – as CIP is an important source of programming funding. CIP is accessed by our members to establish social cohesion through new innovative programs. It also provides some organizations with equipment and others with operating dollars. CIP will play an important role as our community-based organizations assist Albertans in rebuilding their social connections as COVID restriction ease. The Federations are not just writing this letter on behalf of our members, but with a mind to the non-profit sector in Alberta, as a whole. We need government investment across the sector. The sector needs a partnership where all organizations are seen and valued.
We call upon our government to recognize the importance of the work of the non-profit sector by investing in it, rather than eroding it. We request a meeting to discuss the impact of these budget cuts on our members or to assist in advising on ways to implement a strategy of partnership for a cohesive society.
