Women's centres unclear of fiscal future, as province cuts costs

The Newfoundland and Labrador government says everything is on the table when it comes to saving money in its 2015 budget, and some operators with the province's women's centres say they aren't sure of their future.

Victoria Jones, with the Western Regional Coalition to End Violence, said it's been a feeling of hurry up and wait to find out about program funding next year.

The centres fiscal year ends on March 31, but Jones says there's been no word on how much funding government will be providing.

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"With what's been stated and what's been coming out of government, saying that everything is on the table and everybody feels very vulnerable, we feel a little more nervous than we typically would," said Jones.

"Until we get that go ahead that everything's a go, the funding is there, we're definitely all gonna be on pins and needles."

Jones added government has demonstrated a commitment previously to violence prevention in the province, and she hopes that message will continue despite a harsh financial climate.

'Fear mongering'

Earlier this week, NDP MHA Gerry Rogers directed questions in the House of Assembly about a lack of news on funding for various centres.

Prevention is huge. You look at it from a budget standpoint if we look at the cost of violence to our health care system, to our judicial system, to our education system.- Victoria Jones

According to Rogers, the centres wrote the status of women minister to ask about funding in the coming year, as their fiscal end comes to a close later in March.

Minister Susan Sullivan said there was no clear indication of how much money would be going where, as government is still in the budget process.

Sullivan added government admires the work done at the various centres across the province, and fully supports the work they do.

Rogers was unimpressed, saying the centres could not be kept open "on the basis of admiration" and questioned government's message to women in crisis.

Sullivan said the tone of questioning from the NDP member was "absolute fear mongering," and she's heard no indication on the Tory side of the house that any member wants funding cut to women's centres.

Prevention key to cost savings

For Jones, she just wants to see a continued commitment from government.

"Prevention is huge. You look at it from a budget standpoint if we look at the cost of violence to our health care system, to our judicial system, to our education system," she said.

"Especially in hard economic times there's going to be effects on the family unit, there's going to be effects on employment, on housing, on all of those things, mental health and addiction, so really we could be seen as a really positive mitigating factor."

According to Jones, the centres will carry on as best they can without official news on funding in the new fiscal year, but will continue to operate on a daily basis while waiting "on pins and needles."