the NDP
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton yesterday presented at the Legislative Assembly a petition with nearly 2,000 signatures demanding the Ministry of Health Promotion renew the FOCUS Community Projects’ funding.
FOCUS Community Projects provides substance abuse prevention programs in 22 communities across Ontario, including in Red Lake, Ignace, and Fort Frances.
Its five-year funding cycle ended on March 31, 2008, but the program received an extension until March 31, 2009.
Hampton fully supports the FOCUS program, but fears the McGuinty government does not intend to renew its funding.
“I get the sense that this government is quietly trying to cut this essential program,” he said.
In two short weeks, hundreds of people across Ontario signed petitions calling on the McGuinty government to support the FOCUS Community Projects.
“A number of communities across Ontario will lose this important program,” said Hampton. “I urge community members to continue to sign petitions, write to their MPP, and let the Ministry of Health Promotion know that Ontario needs programs like this one.”
New Democrats twice have asked Health Promotion minister Margarett Best during Question Period to renew the FOCUS Community Projects funding, but have yet to receive a clear answer.
They will continue to pressure the ministry for the funding.
