Increased funding for neighbourhood associations and restoration of free criminal background checks for volunteers were among the key requests of city council as it works toward finalizing the 2021 budget.
The requests were presented during an evening of delegations on Wednesday, ahead of plans to finalize the city’s 2021 budget next week. As it stands, the draft budget comes with a 3.63 per cent tax increase.
Time and time again council heard about the impact neighbourhood groups have had on individuals in need, from newly single mothers facing a variety of financial and mental health struggles to people with mobility issues, the working poor and many more.
More than a dozen speakers urged council to increase funding for the Guelph Neighbhourhood Support Coalition (GNSC) by $220,000 annually to $795,000. The GNSC includes 15 neighbourhood groups throughout the city which offer a variety of supports including food cupboards, after school programs and socialization initiatives, as well as mobility assistance, community gardens, English learning efforts and more.
“We’re not advocating for dollars, we’re advocating for the growth and support of our neighbourhoods,” said Barb McPhee of the North End Harvest Market. “For the community, by the community. What a powerful way to raise a city.”
The requested funding increase has the support of several social service agencies that cover the city, including Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences Coalition of Guelph & Wellington and Toward Common Ground, as well as the Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty and Family and Children Services of Guelph and Wellington County.
“We know that neighbourhoods can do for people what paid services and supports can never do. Neighbourhoods elevate the voices of citizens to build community, take action on very local issues, take care of each other and each other’s children, form relationships and friendships, and to celebrate life,” said Erin Harvey of Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County.
“It’s a vital investment in the next generation,” she said of the requested funding increase, noting it would go to “upstream” services to support people before they need “downstream” services like police.
The GNSC funding is provided through a Community Benefit Agreement that’s set to expire mid-2021, noted deputy CAO Colleen Clack-Bush, which is something council previously delegated authority for to staff.
She noted the requested funding increase could be discussed during that renegotiation, but council could contribute one-time funding if it so chooses.
Council also heard from The People and Information Network (PIN) who seek to have funding for free criminal background checks for its non-profit member agencies restored. Those funds were cut from the police budget last month, starting in the new year.
PIN is seeking $150,000 to cover the cost of all volunteer criminal background checks in the city.
“It would be a tremendous investment in volunteerism throughout the city,” Kim Cusimano of PIN told council.
Non-profit organizations have been hit by a “one-two punch” of the pandemic and removal of funding for criminal background checks, she said, adding their agencies have seen increasing costs, decreased fundraising and lowered volunteer rates.
“I’m concerned about the decrease in volunteerism. I’m hopeful that it is temporary, but I think the more we apply barriers to that, and stresses and pressures on the community benefits sector, I think the city will suffer,” Cusimano said.
The cost of a criminal background check is $35.
About 30 letters of support for PIN’s request have been submitted to council.
Additional asks included:
- $61,200 annually for Addiction Court Support, initiated following a recommendation from the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness and Community Safety – connect with individuals to address both substance use issues and criminal offending behaviour
- $91,000 annually for Welcoming Streets initiative, also from the mayor’s task force – outreach workers interact in the downtown area business operators in a close and integrated way with existing services that serve individuals with complex needs
- Installation of lights at the skate park in Silvercreek Park on Edinburgh Road South, across from the former OPP station. No dollar figure was provided.
- Shelldale Family Gateway asked for an increase in annual funding from $8,500 to $15,000 to support various programs, including a breakfast club and after school initiatives.
- A one-time increase in subsidies for youth sports facilities use from 47.5 to 60 per cent, valued at $150,000.
Consideration of approval is set for a special meeting on Dec. 1, with a 2 p.m. start time.
If needed, an additional special council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.
Both meetings will be live-streamed at guelph.ca/live.