Economic strain has washed onto Canada’s shores as provinces seek to reduce funding and service cuts wherever possible.
The latest cut was to the British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) from the Ministry of Education in British Columbia last week.
The Ministry of Education stated in an email that while it appreciates the support provided by the advisory councils on behalf of parents around the province, financial support would not be provided through the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
“B.C. is facing unprecedented economic times, as is the United States and much of Europe,” stated a ministry spokesperson in the email.
“Unfortunately this year there are no extra dollars and as a result we have not been able to provide BCCPAC additional funds they have requested this year.”
A few months ago, the ministry provided BCCPAC a one-time grant of $150,000. The ministry hopes that the funds will assist the confederation with the work that it has already been doing.
Tammy Shipton, chair to District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) for School District 51, stated that though funding has been pulled, it was only on the provincial level.
“It won’t affect this current school year,” she said. “So far they’ve only cut at the provincial level, so it’s only the BCCPAC… who have received funding cuts at this point in time.”
The last time DPAC had its funding cut was two years ago, where the council received only half its usual financial benefits.
“The last time they cut us was two years ago and we got half the money we were getting before. Usually we would get $10 per child in the school and that’s how PACs get funded,” Shipton stated.
“A couple of years ago they cut us to $5 per child and when you’re dealing with a small school like Beaverdell or Rock Creek that only has 100 students, or 10 students, it does impact us a lot.”
Within rural communities, Shipton has found that fundraising and volunteers help to equilibrate the costs that a decreased endowment would lead to after some time.
The parent advisory councils are made up of parents who have children attending that school and aids in the operation of said schools. PACs provide aid to families who are unable to pay for lunch programs or the full cost of field trips.
Shipton has confirmed that DPAC has been given its full allotted funding so this year’s projects and programs will not be affected.
“Overall, if they do decline our PAC dollars, it will hurt field trips and lunch programs,” said Shipton.
“I would suspect in the next couple of years we will see a decline in our funds. I’m really hoping that it really doesn’t trickle down into PACs and DPACs, but ultimately, I think it probably will.”