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Charities deserve better

I appreciate the Penticton Western News extensive coverage on the challenges area charities are enduring from slashed government funding.

I appreciate the Penticton Western News extensive coverage on the challenges area charities are enduring from slashed government funding.

These cuts were made despite assurances prior to the last election that funding would be secure.

I’ve seen firsthand the great community benefits the Penticton Art Gallery provides, and spoken with members of your arts council about the devastating local impact of the BC Liberal cuts.

Now a grant review is underway and many are rightly cynical.

They ask, “Why would we now trust BC Liberals to do right after they broke so many past promises, and ignored their own reports which show the clear benefit of charities and volunteers to our economy, and our communities?”

Fact is, charities right across B.C. have been forced to shut down because of the deepest funding cuts in B.C. history. These cuts hurt families, charities and community.

As Official Opposition critic for arts, I can only answer we must keep up the fight for a government and society that values creativity and the role charities play in our society.

Our charities do so much with so little and a responsive government must respect the contribution of volunteers, staff and community working together to make it all happen.

Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA

 

Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture and the Arts