Funding for women's centres, community groups to be maintained in budget

As Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial government gets ready to table this year's budget, Premier Paul Davis has provided some comfort for community groups who were bracing for possible cuts, amid dropping oil prices and fiscal belt-tightening.

Davis revealed during question period in the House of Assembly Monday that current core funding for community-based organizations will be maintained this year.

Davis was responding to a question from St. John's Centre NDP MHA Gerry Rogers.

• Women's centres unclear of fiscal future, as province cuts costs

“In many parts of the province, women’s centres are the only places that help women deal with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence," Rogers said.

The centres' fiscal year ends Tuesday, and Rogers said women's centres still had heard no word on how much funding government will be providing.

Davis said funding for women's centres will remain in place in this year's budget, as well as funding for other community organizations.

"We fully — and I personally — fully respect and appreciate the valuable work and partnership they do with government and stakeholders and people who are in need of support and assistance in Newfoundland and Labrador," Davis said.

Currently, the provincial government provides $70-million annually to a large number of community groups. 

"Our intention is to keep funding intact," said the premier.