Barrhead Mayor Brian Schulz has voiced dismay at reports that dozens of Blue Heron jobs could be axed because of budget cuts.
He said the substantial funding reduction conflicted with Alberta government’s budget commitment to invest in families and strengthen small communities.
It was also mystifying, he said, why Blue Heron had been “blindsided” by the cut two months after the budget was announced.
“This is a huge slap in the face to the Blue Heron Support Services, which has been an absolute jewel in our community for over 30 years,” he said last Friday.
“They have done amazing work in helping people become a viable part of our society, not only in Barrhead but throughout Alberta.
“I think they deserve more respect from the government than to hear they will have a massive budget cut.”
Schulz said he had raised the issue with Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec on Friday, who told him that the concerns in Barrhead were being “taken under advisement.”
Associate minister responsible for persons with development disabilities (PDD), Frank Oberle, is expected to address concerns this week and look into whether changes can be made.
It follows fears that a 35 per cent, or $1.4 million, reduction in Blue Heron’s operating budget could see dozens of jobs eliminated and affect 60-plus clients.
The issue was likely to be discussed at Barrhead Town Council yesterday.
Last Friday, the Mayor said Blue Heron’s executive director and CEO, Ralph Helder, had come into his office to talk about the funding cut.
“Here we are in May two months after the budget and Blue Heron is just finding out about the cuts,” said Schulz.
“My question is how come they didn’t hear about this sooner to maybe avert it or give them a chance to discuss it with our MLA, who could explain what she is doing to hopefully stop such substantial cuts.”
Schulz said Helder seemed frustrated that he had not yet been able to get in touch with Kubinec.
He added he had looked at the Alberta government’s budget 2013 web page.
In it, the government states, “The budget reflects the priorities Albertans told the government are the most important: building Alberta by investing in families and communities, building our savings by ensuring government lives within its means and building new markets for Alberta’s resources – across Canada and around the world.”
It was hard to reconcile that statement with the cut to Blue Heron’s budget, said Schulz.
“I am very disappointed,” he said. “The cut goes against the promises of the government in the last election. I would like to ask our MLA ‘why?’
“Our government should be accountable for what they continually stress on their web page and then they do the opposite. It worries me about what is next.
“They can’t keep giving to the big cities and forgetting the towns and communities outside the cities. I hope our MLA can convey to the Minister this is not the way business should be done.”
