PDD Funding for Community Agencies
February 18, 2010
Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. When you look at all of the places where Albertans invest their hard-earned tax dollars, a very healthy amount of funding goes to the Seniors and Community Supports department. Yesterday I attended the main estimates meeting with the minister, and I have to say that I appreciated her directness and her candor. My questions are to the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. Given the concern that exists across this province with PDD groups, can she please confirm that her department will not enter into new contracts and then cut the funding during the budget year?
Mrs. Jablonski: Mr. Speaker, the PDD program is a very important priority for this government and especially for myself and my department. The contracts that we develop through our community boards – and there are six regional community boards – are pretty important contracts. I’ve said in the past that we will honour our contracts, and I maintain to this day that we will honour our contracts.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Groups that the government contracts with to provide supports to communities across the province need certainty. They need to hire staff. They need toensure proper training is in place and be able to deliver on the programs that their clients, Albertans, rely on. My question, again to the same minister. Groups across this province are contacting me because they are afraid that some of the reviews that will take place this year are simply an exercise in service reduction. What is the goal of the minister and the government as it relates to these social assistance based reviews?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Jablonski: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to express my appreciation for all the service agencies that provide the supports and services to our people with developmental disabilities. They work very closely with our boards, and they do a great job. I understand their concerns. Any of the reviews that we’re doing are for the benefit of the people of Alberta. Any reviews that are being done in my department are for purposes of clarity and consistency, efficiency and effectiveness, and sustainability in the programs.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the decision by her department to seek funding cuts from PDD agencies last year, these groups are justifiably concerned that the government’s signature on a contract may not mean much. To identify areas where her department can improve its effectiveness, reduce administration, and maximize front-line services, will the minister commit to having an independent audit completed on the community boards’ direct operations and PDD provincial operation budgets?
Mrs. Jablonski: Mr. Speaker, we have six regional community boards. They all do an excellent job. They all send in their reports to my department. I want to reiterate that when we have a contract, we honour our contracts. We honoured all of our contracts last year, and we appreciated the co-operation from the agencies that work with the community boards.
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