Re: Grant cuts leave groups in lurch (News, June 8)
We were disappointed to read Angus Matthews’ comment implying the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre failed to receive two summer employment grants because the federal Conservative government cutback was targeting “this particular riding, this constituency.” That statement is both politically and factually incorrect.
The federal government is making a concentrated effort to reduce expenses across the country and we personally know of several organizations, many in staunch Conservative ridings in both B.C. and Alberta, that also did not receive employment grants this year despite having received them in the past.
The Ocean Discovery Centre has successfully worked with volunteers since it opened and at one point even worried how it would manage to keep and utilize the large number of people who wanted to volunteer at this amazing facility.
Surely it isn’t a hardship for the aquarium to continue utilizing volunteers to help with the delivery of its summer programs.
P. Trottier and G. Morgan
North Saanich