The Community Sector Council Summit continues in the capital city, and a big topic of discussion today was multi-year funding.

Premier Dwight Ball, and a number of cabinet ministers—including Lisa Dempster, Bernard Davis, John Haggie and Chris Mitchelmore—were in attendance and spoke during different panel discussions.

Ball says there is a lot of value to having ministers and so many people in one room talking about the Community Sector.

CEO for the Community Sector Council, Penelope Rowe says expanding multi-year funding is critical. She says they spend a lot of time writing proposals, getting funding, and reporting on that funding. With efficiencies to funding applications, she says government would also win.

Rowe says government has to review every application and proposal, and do calls for proposals every year. Multi-year funding could create savings and reduce stress for those who have to go through the yearly process.

Premier Ball says multi-year funding is something they started initiating a couple of years ago. It’s a three-year program with 22 community groups receiving multi-year funding from the $115-million total budget.

He says first there is accountability and transparency that needs to occur. He says they also must analyze the value they get, and he’s heard loud and clear that multi-year funding makes it easier to keep trained staff.

Ball says it has always been their plan to expand multi-year funding to other groups, and they must have accountability and transparency mechanisms in place so government can report back to taxpayers in the province that the money is well spent.

He is convinced it is well spent, and that they’re getting great outcomes as a result.

The Community Sector Council Summit continues tomorrow.

Premier Ball now giving closing remarks.

He stresses the importance of collaboration and working together. @VOCMNEWS #nlpoli pic.twitter.com/yZcGGhTX89

— Ben Murphy VOCM (@BenMurphyVOCM) October 28, 2019