The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are raising concerns over a $2 million cut in grants for small community projects.
The provincial government’s Island Community Fund officially expired on March 31, and the MacLauchlan government has decided not to renew or extend it, as was done in 2013.
Instead, the province has moved $2 million formerly earmarked for small grants under the Island Community Fund into the transportation department.
Economic Development Minister Heath MacDonald explains this will allow the province to leverage $7-million in additional funds through the federal Building Canada Fund.
“We feel that it’s very important that we try to increase our monies for rural communities,” MacDonald said.
“We’ve made changes to the way the money is being invested to better address infrastructure priorities and projects in communities across the province.”
But Opposition MLA Matthew MacKay says this will leave community groups and organizations such as rural fire departments without access to small grants for upgrades or projects.
“They’re taking the money and putting it into bigger projects, so the small projects that affect the small communities, like your fire halls, your seniors clubs, your playgrounds, your ball fields — they’re the ones that are going to suffer.”
MacDonald acknowledges the money will now be used for bigger projects, but if communities or organizations need smaller amounts of money, he suggests they could look for grants from other departments or programs in government.
“Look at the department of tourism, which I’m responsible for — there was over $2 million in grants given out last year,” MacDonald said.
“Some of that funding could be sourced through other avenues, and what we’re trying to do is establish an artery that allows us to best suit the applicant with that.”
MacKay also pointed to tens of thousands of dollars doled out from the former Island Community Fund in the lead up to the election.
“There was about 17 different funds for different groups that were sent out in eight ridings before the election, so I’m curious to see why all of a sudden money was going out before the election and none after,” MacKay told reporters.
MacDonald says he cannot speak for decisions made by Ron MacKinley, the former minister in charge of the Island Community Fund, who has since retired from politics.