Bennett meets with anti-violence groups
$2-billion deficit looms for cash-strapped community groups
Cathy Bennett, minister responsible for the status of women, held a roundtable discussion Friday morning at the Hungry Heart Cafe.
But there’s a cloud hanging over the community groups that showed up to chat with Bennett, who’s also the finance minister.
In a news release later in the day, Bennett made no mention of the province’s fiscal situation and the $2-billion deficit, only focusing on Violence Prevention Month, and the work done by groups like Choices for Youth and the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
““No one should ever be made to feel threatened or harassed and we all have a responsibility to reach out and take action against all forms of violence,” Bennett said in the release. “Our government supports building safe, violence-free environments where no one feels threatened in their homes, communities, schools or workplaces. As a wife and mom to two young boys, I know the importance of talking about ways to end violence and instilling in our young people at an early age the importance of fairness, equality and respect to everyone.”
Andrew Harvey, with Choice for Youth, said there are definitely concerns about funding.
“We hope that we see more money, not less. And it’s been pretty stagnant for many, many years,” he said
“Obviously, looking at a $2-billion deficit is a pretty bad scenario to be in, but when we’re talking about the community sector and nonprofit sector, it’s quite small money — like, we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars, usually.”
Nicole Kieley, executive director of the N.L. Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, said she also is concerned about the budget situation.
Keley said she is encouraged by the fact Bennett is both finance minister and status of women minister, and she hopes the government will choose to be more collaborative with community groups.
“When we look at what our economic outlook is going to look like, what supports are going to be there for women, what supports are going to be there for anti-violence, it’s great to have that lens,” she said.