Winnipeg has been the centre of a maelstrom over the past week since Youth for Christ stepped forward with a completed funding proposal in hand for an 11 million dollar rec centre. It’s been huge news in the province, and once the public political fisticuffs was out of the way residents were left debating city hall.
It is done, city council caved like wet cardboard. Community based groups which rely on operational funding are upset. The games being played are not recreational and the debate rightfully continues. (4.2 million municipal/3.2 million federal)

This is not an us/them debate, it is an ‘our’ debate.

Money is being given to faith based charities without public input. We’re kidding ourselves if we lull ourselves into the standard framing of it’s just a local or provincial liberal media driven dust-up, tax payers and delivery of services in communities across Canada are affected. Opposition to federal money being tossed out to religious charities, and economic pressure on municipal autonomy, is not about being anti-Christian despite what political cheerleaders are chanting.

I have a question.
How many federal grants have been handed out lately to faith groups?

I have another question.
Where has money been doled out to faith groups?

Winnipeg. Hamilton…

$986,667 for the Catholic Youth Organization of the Diocese of Hamilton
+
$371,650 for the Good Sheperd Venture Center (Which I didn’t know was Catholic too!)
+
$2,947,652 For Redeemer University College (A Christian School)
+
$1,000,000 For a soccer field at Redeemer University College
+
$300,000 For phase 2 of the soccer field

So That’s

$5,605,969 For Hamilton’s Religious circle

(I’ve written Redeemer College to ask how many community groups have applied or been able to play on the field)

Where else?
If you know, please comment and link.

Previous post: Youth for Christ Winnipeg: proselytizing and political patronage

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