B.C. non-profits, schools brace for cuts

Non-profit organizations throughout B.C. are bracing for big cuts expected in Tuesday's provincial budget update, while school districts and sports organizations are reeling from news their funding has already been slashed.

Finance Minister Colin Hansen is expected to table a budget update rife with spending cuts as the province grapples with a deficit expected to climb as high as $4 billion.

While the provincial government has already announced cuts in several areas, including the school maintenance fund and a grant for the organization that oversees high school sports, it's unclear what else might be slashed.

That has Tim Beachey, with the United Community Services Co-op, worried.

If the government cuts funding to organizations already running on empty, he said, people on the non-profit front line will pay the price.

"And those workers will be the ones laid off in this economy if there are cutbacks," Beachey said. "And then the next line is that more clients will have to stand in line or wait for a phone call to get that service."

George Passmore, clinical director for Richmond Addiction Services, said he worries about the future of his agency, which has been running for 34 years.

"We get between 10 and 15 new clients every week in Richmond, so we are a very well-utilized agency."

Central Okanagan School District cuts jobs

The Central Okanagan School District said Tuesday more than a dozen of its employees will lose their jobs.

Supt. Hugh Gloster said the cuts are necessary since the province announced it would no longer be providing a facilities grant.

Gloster said the district was counting on getting $3 million to maintain school buildings, and more than half that money has already been spent.

"Probably 16 or 17 regular permanent employees will be receiving layoff notices … which is, quite frankly, really upsetting to us," he said.

"Obviously, we've put a halt to all other projects, and many temporary employees will also finish up their assignments with us earlier than they had expected."

Gloster said the district has received the grant every year since 1988.

High school sports on chopping block

Meanwhile, the organization that oversees sports matches between high schools in B.C. says it's scrambling.

The province has already announced it will not hand over a $130,000 grant this year because of budget cuts.

B.C. School Sports president Raj Puri said the group doesn't have enough money to see it through the coming school year.

"It's difficult. It really is difficult to cover large amounts for entire teams," he said.

"Worst-case scenario is [that] certain sports that are currently being offered in schools could be lost."

Puri said those cuts could jeopardize students' abilities to apply for university sports scholarships.