This letter is in regards to the recent announcement of foregoing provincial lottery funding support in Edmonton.
I realize that a position has been taken, but I believe that this issue has significant implications to Catholic education students and parents and should be revisited with proper consultation, not shoved down our throats. The Archdiocese of Edmonton is responsible for St. Albert and it was a directive from the archbishop. I contacted the St. Albert Catholic school board regarding the issue to find out if the extension relates to St. Albert as well. It was conveyed to me that the policy had been made and the board stands behind its decision. Though at this time, there is still no plan in place for how the board intends on replacing this significant and stable revenue stream. It was explained to me that as it stands, the additional funds would have to come from fundraising or from an increase to our school taxes.
I would like to know that when this issue was brought to the table, why our school board chair didn’t grieve the issue like his peer Debbie Engel in Edmonton? Is it not his job to relay the needs of our students and community to the Archdiocese? Is this not the job of our school trustees? What if any input was received from the community?
From my perspective, it appears the decision was forced through with minimal consultation with the electorate. Was the community informed completely what the financial and social impact of the lost funds entail? Were they told that our tax levy would need to be increased as a result or that enormous community fundraising would be required just to keep the status quo? The Edmonton Catholic school board was wise enough to realize that funding sources are very scarce and they fought for their schools to continue with the assistance of lottery funding. Any movement away from lottery funds would be conducted in a rational and transitional basis. Though I realize that St. Albert is recognized as an affluent community, there are still families who rely on help from the schools and community to ensure that their children can attend field trips and partake in activities that unfortunately their families can’t afford. Not to mention we are still in a recession, I do not believe that this is the time to take funding away from our children due to an ethical stand that is suspect at best.
Let’s be bluntly honest — every lottery dollar or alcohol royalty that Alberta receives benefits schools, hospitals and families throughout the province. If these dollars weren’t there, less money would be allocated to everyone. Whether the Catholic school board receives funds directly or not, they’re benefiting from the program. How much laundering of this ‘dirty’ money is sufficient for the board? Let’s be clear — it is not your job to lecture us on which dollars are OK and which are unholy. If you’re taking anything, you’re no holier than anyone else — just poorer — and it’s the kids and their families that will suffer.
We would like our children to receive the same benefits that the Protestant schools provide to their students from the help of gaming revenues. Not only are we losing the portion of funding from working a casino, but we can no longer apply for grant funding through lottery funding programs because the funding is a portion of net revenues from provincial lotteries. These programs provide matching funds for essential projects that are now lost as well. The reality is our schools will no longer have funding to purchase new computers, gym equipment, playground equipment, smart boards, etc. We will have to fundraise to receive these specialty items unlike the private schools who can apply for funding assistance. I do not have a problem with fundraising, but I don’t want to have to make it my second job. What if one of our playgrounds was suddenly damaged (like Keenooshayo this year)? Will the local Catholic school board provide the funds to build a new one?
I resent that the board has financially handcuffed itself with minimal input from the community. We should be provided with the same opportunity as the Edmonton Catholic school board, that until our Catholic board finds a way to obtain additional long-term funding, that will not impact our community and our tax levy, we should be allowed to continue receiving lottery-funding dollars.
Louise French, St. Albert
