CBC News Online | April 7, 2005
The Binns government's cost cutting exercise has extended to a number of community organizations and groups that promote arts and culture.
However, the budget does set aside money to help prepare the Island to host the Canada Games in 2009. And there's $138,000 to help get Island athletes ready to participate in the games.
After holding out for more federal spending in the province the government seems ready to sign onto a federal infrastructure program. The budget sets aside $18 million as the provincial contribution to the Municipal Rural Infrastructure program.
And there's some new money to increase the inspection of electrical, plumbing and elevator inspections in the province.
Small tourist operations will see an increase in the marketing budget of Tourism P.E.I. The budget sets aside $1 million for marketing, while changes in the administration of the department will save $618,000.
In the name of cost savings the provincial government will cut 5 per cent from the budget that funds cultural and heritage events in P.E.I.
Sports and recreation has also suffered a cut, seeing five per cent of its budget disappearing.
The government is also cutting the funding it gives to the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. It will drop by five per cent.
Funding for the Short Film Program will be cut by $30,000.
The Georgetown Youth Centre will be closed at the end of April, with some of the youth housed there moved to Summerside. It will mean a change in designation for the P.E.I. Youth Centre, which will become both and open and closed custody facility.
Farmers will also feel the sting of lower spending in the Department of Agriculture. Financial support for the post-harvest testing program is being reduced.
People involved in the fur industry will also see a cut in government support. A program that paid trappers in advance to help them with costs is eliminated, and a grant to the Artificial Breeders Association will be phased out over two years.