Obviously no one wants to be alarmist, but there’s significant concern about what provincial cuts mean for vulnerable residents and community at large.
Coun. Juliette Cunningham couldn’t contain the tears Monday as Vernon council got a briefing on social agencies losing provincial gaming grants and the impact already spilling over into the streets.
“Local agencies in the community go above and beyond,” she said.
“They are trying to do their best but it’s a watershed moment when the government withdraws gaming funding.”
What troubled Cunningham the most is the suggestion that the Ministry of Community Development decided to yank grants because the agencies aren’t providing a community-wide benefit.
“It’s totally unacceptable,” she said.
And Cunningham can’t be blamed for being upset when you consider that one of the groups that apparently doesn’t provide a broad service is the Upper Room Mission.
Not only does URM provide upwards of 350 to 375 meals a day, it has been a place for individuals to hang out during the day because they can’t find employment, don’t have a place to live or their housing is inadequate. It has given them a sense of belonging, particularly when public misconceptions about them continue to exist.
Now URM is struggling with the loss of a $100,000 gaming grant, which has gutted 13 per cent of its budget.
Food will still be available, but in between meals, the doors will be locked because there aren’t sufficient financial or staff resources to play host.
That means those individuals who once spent their day at the mission are now left to wander downtown.
“I drove by the mission and it was a mob scene. You can see the desperation in people’s faces,” said Coun. Brian Quiring, who reports seeing a fight break out.
And unfortunately, idle hands can lead to frustration, which can spark trouble.
We will likely see more people hanging out on street corners. Even if there isn’t a risk, some residents will perceive their safety is jeopardized.
You can also expect the RCMP and bylaw officers to be under pressure to provide a presence downtown.
In many cases, social issues in communities are directly a result of government actions, or the lack thereof — whether it’s inadequate disability pensions, insufficient resources going into affordable housing or not enough support for mental health programs.
The least the government can do is provide gaming money to non-profit groups picking up the slack.
Vernon council is rallying with local agencies to lobby Victoria for funding to be restored, but they can’t do it alone.
Provincial officials need to know that the community finds the current situation intolerable.
If you want to have a say in the future of the community, call MLA Eric Foster at 250-503-3600, Community Development Minister Peter Fassbender at 250-387-2283 or Premier Christy Clark at premier@gov.bc.ca