Unexpected support for community organizations
Community organizations are receiving unprecedented attention in this budget, which is allocating an additional $149 million this year, the equivalent of a 30% increase in government support over five years.
These organizations are "a cornerstone of Quebec's social safety net," says the minister in the budget, which also recognizes the crucial role they played during the pandemic with people who needed help.
These sums are intended to finance not only specific projects, but the very mission of the organizations, including salaries, rents, telephone and Internet costs. A choice that should be welcomed very favorably by the 5,000 Quebec community organizations that have been criticizing the government for years for funding only new projects.
Even Québec solidaire had to admit on Tuesday that this was unprecedented in terms of support for the community. "This is a step in the right direction," conceded the co-leader of the party Manon Massé who also pleads that the network demanded four times more.
Taking note of the wave of femicide and the recommendations of the Laurent Commission on the Rights of the Child, the government has ensured that the new funds particularly benefit organizations that intervene in sexual and domestic violence (18.8 million more this year).
Quebec is also releasing funds to fund new organizations ($54 million over five years) in three specific areas: advocacy,
immigration and services for English-speaking youth.
As a sign that the role of these organizations is not set to diminish, the budget has even released 1.5 million
to "encourage volunteering among young people in schools".
Finally, again this year, the budget reflects the ageing of the population, which is increasingly weighing on social services and caregivers. The latter will therefore be better supported through respite services and the organization l'Appui which helps them (37.9 million).
These organizations are "a cornerstone of Quebec's social safety net," says the minister in the budget, which also recognizes the crucial role they played during the pandemic with people who needed help.
These sums are intended to finance not only specific projects, but the very mission of the organizations, including salaries, rents, telephone and Internet costs. A choice that should be welcomed very favorably by the 5,000 Quebec community organizations that have been criticizing the government for years for funding only new projects.
Even Québec solidaire had to admit on Tuesday that this was unprecedented in terms of support for the community. "This is a step in the right direction," conceded the co-leader of the party Manon Massé who also pleads that the network demanded four times more.
Taking note of the wave of femicide and the recommendations of the Laurent Commission on the Rights of the Child, the government has ensured that the new funds particularly benefit organizations that intervene in sexual and domestic violence (18.8 million more this year).
Quebec is also releasing funds to fund new organizations ($54 million over five years) in three specific areas: advocacy,
immigration and services for English-speaking youth.
As a sign that the role of these organizations is not set to diminish, the budget has even released 1.5 million
to "encourage volunteering among young people in schools".
Finally, again this year, the budget reflects the ageing of the population, which is increasingly weighing on social services and caregivers. The latter will therefore be better supported through respite services and the organization l'Appui which helps them (37.9 million).
Isabelle Porter
In Quebec CityUnexpected support for community organizations in the Quebec budget | The Duty (ledevoir.com)
In Quebec CityUnexpected support for community organizations in the Quebec budget | The Duty (ledevoir.com)
