Should Edmonton spend double what it has to on social services?

[moahunter]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...953/story.html

Most of the money for this year's $23.9-million budget for family and community support services comes from the provincial government. While the city is required to contribute a certain amount as well, it puts in almost double the minimum necessary.

But a proposal by staff to reduce the 2010 budget to $21.9 million as part of the city's push to control spending didn't sit well Monday with members of the community services committee.

I understand the City has a role in co-ordinating certain social services (e.g. zoning to help certain areas, police impacts, etc.), but I have always thought social services is a Provincial jurisdiction. Issues like health, education, and welfare are things I want the Alberta agencies to run, that's why we have this level of government, they have the specialists to do this work.

It seems to me, that Edmonton is "filling the gap" because of a perceived underfunding from the Province. But by doing that, are we just disadvantaging Edmonton taxpayers versus other cities in Alberta? Maybe if the City spent less (instead building City infrastructure), the Province would step up to the plate more? What do you think?

[AAAAE]

With the current provincial government, I highly doubt that they would step up to the plate. Cutting funding would increase suffering.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by AAAAE

Cutting funding would increase suffering.

Unlikely, charities would probably pick up the slack (don't see why City should decide for us where our chairty money should go). Either that, or if people think the province isn't doing enough, they can vote in a different party.

[Chmilz]

Mixed opinion. If it's services to keep bums happy/alive/drunk/high (all one and the same, often enough), no thanks. If it's services to help people that want help to keep on their feet or get back into society, then yes. As for the provincial government, I'd be surprised if we actually got more than a penny or two worth of services for every dollar they budget, due to waste and bureaucracy from the top down.

[Dusty Bear]

I really couldn't say without knowing what exactly those services are.