M.D. strikes committee to study youth

Tina Kennedy
South Peace News

Following their budgetary meetings, the M.D. of Big Lakes struck a committee to look into just how many youths lived within their hamlets and how much money they should allot for youth programming in the respective communities.

Craig Bissell, Enilda councillor, was spokesperson for the three-person committee, during the Jan. 22 meeting.

"We were directed to look at the dollars. We were not directed to look at the programming," says Bissell.

The funding would ultimately come under Family and Community Services; however, it is separate from any current monies distributed through FCS.

Under their review, says Bissell, they decided that based on the population statistics collected last year, Enilda gets $4,000; Faust gets $6,000, Grouard gets $9,000 and Joussard gets $4,500.

Bissell didn't outline what formula was used to get those numbers and whether there was a set rate per capita. However, it was based on population.

"We looked at the demographics of wards."

In the case of Grouard, adds Bissell, 42 per cent of the hamlet's population was under 20 years-of-age.

Consideration was given to Grouard because Kapawe'no First Nation, adjoining the hamlet, also has a large youth populace.

"There's some over the line that are part of the community," says Bissell.

Over all, the monies distributed by the committee was simply a directive that came from a budget meeting, he added when questioned by others at the meeting. It was a direction council wanted to take: concentrating on more of their FCS programs. Two of the hamlets, Faust and Joussard, already had designated funding. This process just helped ensure other hamlets were treated the same way in any future youth programming.

This identification is just for future purposes, adds Bissell.

"We don't know who will implement the programs."