Released on March 24, 1997
Social Services Minister Lorne Calvert today announced that Community-Based Organizations, which contract to provide services for departmental
clients, will receive more than $7.5 million in funding increases over
the next three years.
These agencies include child care centres, youth programs, mobile crisis
services, group homes, transition houses, friendship centres and many
more agencies which provide important services to children and families
across the province.
In the 1997/98 Budget, the government is targeting resources, and is
investing in children, families, communities and social agencies across
the province.
The announcement means that:
funding for benefits such as Employment Insurance premiums,
Canada Pension Plan contributions and Workersþ Compensation
premiums will increase by nearly 25% in 1997/98;
pension benefits will be extended to all staff positions,
effective October 1, 1997;
salaries will increase in each of the next three years; and
funding for fixed costs will be increased by 2 per cent in
1998/99 and 1999/2000.
More than 200 organizations and 1500 agency staff across the province
will benefit from the increases.
"Community-Based Organizations provide important, often crucial services
to vulnerable children and adults in our communities. With these
increases we are helping those who help others in Saskatchewan," Calvert
concluded.
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For further information contact:
Virginia Wilkinson
Social Services
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-0916