Debate on Proposed Grant in Aid Policy Continues

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is considering a Grant in Aid policy which would funnel all applications through staff. According to Gerald Whalley, who has been a Regional Director since the SRD was formed in 2008, this is the third time the idea of a policy has come up. After an intense debate, the proposal has been forwarded to the Electoral Areas Services Committee and Municipal Services Committee for further discussion.  Some of the main points of the proposed policy include: Financial assistance will only be considered for registered, non-profit organizations that have an operational presence within the Strathcona Regional District. Applicants must provide a current financial statement and budget for the year the SRD will not fund core operating expenses, capital improvements to equipment, insurance, property taxes, or multi-year funding commitments The SRD will give priority to applications that do not exceed $5,000 and are from organizations that do not already receive funding from the SRD Mayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos explained that in the past, “We found that it would alter many of the contributions that are already being made.  We just felt that some of the restrictions were too restrictive.”  Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C agreed: “I just wanted to point out that the next item on the agenda is three requests for financial assistance from Electoral Area C,  and with this policy as is, none of these three very important and valid applications would be considered eligible.  That includes the Quadra Island Foundation's application for financial support because they are hiring a consultant to create a Vital Signs report for Quadra Island. Neither would liability insurance costs for the Quadra Island Conservancy, which maintains public land that is publicly accessible and is a highly used piece of land for outdoor recreation in our community for visitors and for residents, be covered. Lastly Quadra Island Concerts is asking for $1,000 to assist with administration insurance costs for bringing music to our community for the entire winter. I just want to point out that this policy would negate all three of those applications.”