Grits slash $2M from N.B. eco-fund
Money from pop bottle trust redirected to Environment Department operating budget
FREDERICTON - As green issues continue to dominate public debate around the globe, a fiery political battle broke out yesterday in the legislature over the Liberal government's decision to slash $2 million from the province's Environmental Trust Fund (ETF).
But with about a third of the almost $6.5 million community-oriented fund now diverted to help compensate for the money cut out of Department of Environment in last week's budget, local service groups and environmental organizations are simply wondering whether they can afford to continue.
Valerie Archibald of the Canadian Forestry Association of New Brunswick is still waiting to learn how the cut will affect her organization's two main projects: the Adopt-A-Highway program and the Envirothon environmental science education program for high school students across the province.
"With most of our community groups that do the cleanup, it wouldn't be possible without the funding provided by the Environmental Trust Fund," she said.
There are roughly 200 groups registered with the Adopt-A- Highway program, including many cadets, scouts, and community groups.
Although Environment Minister Roland Haché has questioned the validity of some ETF funded projects, which include conservation, protection, education, restoration, sustained development, education, and particularly beautification, Archibald says the highway cleanup program does more than simply beautify the province's roadways.
"I believe it is stewardship and awareness, and also an education tool to promote the idea of not littering," she said, noting the tourism spin-offs of the program.
"When you actually get out there into the ditch it is actually a good incentive to remind you to remember next time to throw your garbage out."
Last year, CFANB saw its funding cut from $90,000 to $30,000 due to what an Environment department spokesman attributed to growing demands from community groups.
The funding was eventually increased to $60,000 when many of the nearly 200 grassroots volunteer groups who depend on the funds indicated they couldn't afford to go on.
Environment department spokesman Mike Wesson said, last August, that the "department is interested in getting maximum value for the dollar, which means the money has to be stretched to get the most bang for our buck."
"That results in some pretty tough decisions that have to be made from time to time," he added. "It's not indicative of any undervaluing of the program."
Haché said it all comes down to making choices. "Is it really a better thing to do to have beautification programs in municipalities or is it better to invest in green house gas emissions?"
While Haché said the department's priority is to fund its Climate Change Action Plan, the $2 million being directed from the ETF will not increase the department's budget over last year. Indeed, it will simply compensate for the money that was cut by Finance minister Victor Boudreau in last week's budget.
"The Department of Environment like other departments had to do efforts for the budget. Our goal is the environment. I think where the money comes from is less important than what we do with the money," said Haché.
Haché admitted that some people might view the redirection of funds from beverage receptacles to the department's operational budget as a hidden tax, but he said he disagrees.
He wouldn't name any of the programs he questions yesterday, but said he is prepared to name names if the discussion continues.
"The important thing is the environment and not the little candies they used to give. In the past, they funded projects that were in no way positive for the environment," said Haché, of the former Conservative government.
Haché suggested that the previous Lord government spent the money from the ETF to helps its "little friends."
But Conservative environment critic Trevor Holder asked if Haché was speaking about the school children who benefit from environmental education programs.
Holder said the $2 million cut indicates Haché isn't standing up to his cabinet colleagues whom he says "don't care about the environment."
"They are robbing Peter to pay Paul. When people pay a deposit on their bottle of pop or juice or whatever it is, they believe that money is going into a fund that is going to be used in projects across the province, whether it is school projects, seniors, (non-governmental organizations) that have sustainable development projects on the go."
Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. used funds from the ETF to host a conference yesterday at the Delta Beauséjour that explored opportunities to rejuvenate environmentally-damaged properties in the city's core.
DMCI CEO Daniel Allain said the conference attracted 75 participants from across the country and offered ideas to local residents and business leaders on the economic potential of contaminated properties such as former gas stations.
Allain said he hopes the Liberal government will reconsider the cuts so that similar projects aren't affected in the future, but he has already revised his budget expecting another drop in funding.
In response to Haché's charges that the ETF has been used for patronage purposes, Allain noted that DMCI's funding fell last year from $20,000 to $12,000 while Petit-Rocher, which is located in Haché's riding, saw its funding increase to $15,000.
"We have always received $20,000 as the biggest city in the province, and now that funding has dropped," said Allain.
In defence of the $2-million cut, Haché, a former teacher, said New Brunswickers weren't having trouble coming up with ideas, but he said would like to see the emphasis placed on educational projects.
"You don't solve all of the problems with money," he said. "As far the environment is concerned, you solve a lot of problems with education."
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
