Province reverses plan to cut funding for community-based organizations

The Saskatchewan government is backing down on more cuts announced in its belt-tightening budget.

The province says it will not go ahead with a planned 10 per cent funding cut to community-based organizations (CBOs) such as mobile crisis services, detox facilities and youth centres. It had asked health regions to develop plans to slash funding in order to help control spending.

“Our government is focused on providing quality health care services to the people of Saskatchewan and we value the work of health-funded CBOs as they help us to achieve that,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said in a news release. “After conducting the most comprehensive review of health-funded CBOs in close to 10 years, we have decided not to proceed with the 10 per cent reduction.”

Reiter said the groups’ work mainly involves mental health, HIV and addictions and the province was concerned about the impact the cuts would have.

The province said 61 or so health-related CBOs receive funding from the regional health regions.

The government earlier scrapped plans to cut funding for libraries and for funeral services for those on income assistance.