SuppliedAlberta Premier Danielle Smith‘s government has once again put profits over people. The United Conservative Party (UCP) government recently cut funding for the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE). I doubt anyone is either surprised or happy about it.
SACE operates on funding from their core funders, as well as their individual donors. While the base funding remains the same, SACE alleges the UCP promised SACE a $1.8 million grant that it didn’t follow through on. This funding would have helped reduce SACE’s 18-month waitlist. Searle Turton, minister of children and family services, says that funding was a one-time grant, whereas Mary Jane James, the chief executive officer (CEO) of SACE, says that the government promised the funding would be permanent. Due to the recent Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement scandal testing my trust in the provincial government, I am partial to believe James in this case. Despite the fundamental services SACE provides, the government told James that the $1.8 million of funding is simply unsustainable.
Frankly, it’s concerning where the morals and priorities of Smith’s government seem to lie. Funding a centre that helps victimized and vulnerable Edmontonians supposedly isn’t financially sustainable. But it’s sustainable to send our premier to fraternize with alt-right MAGA media personalities on the taxpayers’ dime? All while the United States (U.S.) threatens Canada with annexation and tariffs. Interesting. I am glad to see where her priorities are.
All of this is not all that surprising though, as Smith has shown us time and time again that we do not matter to her. From cuts to organizations that help people with disabilities, cutting funding to AHS, cutting free eye exams, and much more. At the end of the day, it seems Smith is more interested in getting face time with U.S. President Donald Trump than serving Albertans.
SACE has had to pause intakes for several services as a result of the funding loss. Current clients won’t be affected, but any new clients or those on waitlists seeking help won’t receive any. Thus, our fellow Edmontonians who have been victims of sexual violence will have far more limited options for accessing support. More specifically, those seeking adult, youth, and child counselling will not be able to access support. As well as those looking to partake in SACE’s core therapeutic groups such as their Men’s Group and their Adult Survivors Healing from Abuse group. Being able to access support as a survivor is absolutely fundamental for recovery. The fact that the UCP decided to cut their funding and thus their services is abhorrent.
Services like those provided at SACE are absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of our community. Their defunding jeopardizes many Edmontonain’s paths to healing and first-contact means of support. Until the UCP get its priorities straight, SACE is left to depend on the community for support. Luckily, there are numerous options for donations, as well as fundraisers such as bottle drives.
But not many folks are in the financial position to personally donate, given cost-of-living pressures. People can — and should — call or email their local provincial representative to tell them you disagree with these budget cuts and demand the government reinstates funding. Nevertheless, Albertans and survivors shouldn’t have to beg the government to fund necessary social supports. The UCP needs to put our tax dollars towards helping vulnerable Albertans, not fruitless trips to the U.S.. This lack of leadership should worry all Albertans.
