The Alberta government announced an addition $4.5 million added to the province’s Victims of Crime fund, and while several Alberta police-based victim services will be benefiting from it, Cochrane isn’t one of them. The announcement comes after several years of advocacy from Victim Services Alberta to lift the cap on funding. Units in Edmonton and Calgary will see an increase from $300,000 to $500,000 each in 2018-19 and to $600,000 for the next three fiscal years. Meanwhile, units in Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat will double from $150,000 to $300,000 each in 2018-19 and the next three fiscal years and Wood Buffalo Region will see an increase from $265,000 to $300,000 in 2018-19 and the next three fiscal years. However, Cochrane did not make the cut, despite the resources at Cochrane and Area Victim Services (CAVS) being “stretched thin,” according to Lauren Delahunt, a program co-ordinator. “It’s a start,” Delahunt said, acknowledging that at least the larger cities will be getting the funds they need. “It’s a step in the right direction, it’s not everything we’re looking for.” “I look at it as a stepping stone...and I know they’re going to continue working with the government to lift the cap for other (municipalities) hopefully. I don’t know what that’s going to look like, it’s definitely something that’s needed.” The announcement means CAVS will continue to receive the same amount from the solicitor general as they have in previous years. However, Delahunt said the demand for CAVS is growing. Compared to this time last year, Delahunt said there has been a 50 per cent increase in cases pouring into CAVS. “It would have definitely made a huge difference to us,” Delahunt said. “The money that is provided by the solicitor general isn’t enough for us to run the program and give the services to the community. “ Not getting the additional funding means Delahunt and other staff members will have to look for other grants and funding to make up the difference which isn’t ideal. Spending time to write grant letters and applications takes away from the four-member staffs’ main duties, which is to assist victims of crime. On top of provincial government funding, CAVS receives support from the Town of Cochrane, FCSS, United Way, FCCS Rocky View, MD of Bighorn, and other grants, such as one from BowRivers Edge Campground Society this year. “I would be hopeful that in the future we can see changes and see some funding coming down to us. Cochrane is the fastest growing community in Canada and as such our numbers are going up, the amount of files we’re seeing year after year are increasing,” Delahunt said. “Cochrane is a really unique community and it’s changing really quickly. Our funding needs to follow that.” The government announcement also said funding will be added to services such as increased Indigenous outreach. Delahunt said since CAVS serves the Morley community, there is hope funding might trickle down in that form.
